mercurynews--2020-12-11--Sponsored: How a proper backyard garden should be taken care of

No .
836 in a series of true experiences in real estate My friend Gretchen and I have been talking gardens and gardening for over 40 years .
Maybe once a year we visit each other ’ s garden and on those occasions we walk together along the paths and we look and talk about each plant .
In between , we talk on the phone and email about how things are looking overall in our gardens , what we ’ ve recently planted , what ’ s died , how much the tree pruner charged , large weeds we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We talk when our gardens look beautiful in late afternoon light and tell how bad and ugly they look in the harsh noon sun .
We ’ ve had conversations many times about how we should order truckloads of soil amendments and spread them everywhere and also about the difficulties and failings of our watering systems .
Many times we have discussed garden simplicity .
How unnecessary it is to try to grow too many different plants , we tell one another .
How much smarter to choose a few that do well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen a number of garden plantings that made the point .
For instance , I once told Gretchen about a garden I ’ d seen , and she got so interested , she went to see it too .
The Victorian house in the Berkeley flats was painted entirely white , wood siding , tall windows and trim .
In front was a long concrete walkway from the sidewalk to the front porch .
On either side of the walk were planted pink blooming bergenia and white calla lilies .
That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watered and looked wonderful and Gretchen and I still talk about it because we think we might follow the example .
Sometimes both Gretchen and I are actively , fully invested in our gardens .
For weeks and weeks at a stretch , we spend time after work and during weekends tidying , feeding , rearranging , and adding new plants .
And there are times , sometimes for months , when we do very little in our gardens .
Just last week I heard from Gretchen that she had that day bought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoped that as she cleaned the arbored patio outside her living room , she would get back to gardening again .
It seems that for quite a while she ’ d been so busy with work she ’ d done nothing in her garden .
She ’ d been feeling guilty about her neglect and this had caused more delay .
She expected to find total ruin when she did finally go out there .
Brave soul , the day she purchased it , she took the washer to the patio and spent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back overgrown wisteria , cleared away dead plants in pots and cleaned the concrete .
There was so much improvement for this that she was able to walk through and look at all of her garden areas .
While there was much that needed to be done — clearing , pruning , weeding — she was surprised to find good news — survivor plants that without care are still alive and looking good .
She says that in fact she finds it is truly interesting to look at one ’ s garden after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , roses , hydrangeas and others were overgrown but fine .
Old nasturtium vines were brown and papery but , all on their own , new ones had started up .
Spotting the survivors encouraged Gretchen ’ s latest great garden idea : Use survivors to fill in empty spots .
Her bergenia plants , for instance , with no “ hands-on ” care at all , were healthy .
Gretchen reeled off for me the virtues of bergenia .
“ Nothing eats it ( well , snails like it ) .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s really easy to take off those big brown dead leaf flaps .
And once it ’ s in , it seems to never die no matter what condition.
” “ So , my new garden plan is to plant five of the teeniest bergenia bedding plants every Sunday on the back hill.
” She explains that beginning at the house and working outward , she can plant more of those she now knows are survivors .
More jasmine , clematis and ordinary feverfew .
Dependable , pretty much “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , more plain green ferns would be a terrific idea .
“ Maybe every garden should have a long period of neglect to see what it gets up to on its own .
It ’ s possible , ” she says , which sounds completely brilliant to me , “ that I will someday be able to get my garden together.
” Pat Talbert and Anet Tarpoff are East Bay residential real estate agents who can be reached at ( 510 ) 653-2050 and at www.TarpoffandTalbert.com , where you can sign up to @ @ @ @ @ @

No. 836 in a series of true experiences in real estate
My friend Gretchen and I have been talking gardens and gardening for over 40 years. Maybe once a year we visit each other’s garden and on those occasions we walk together along the paths and we look and talk about each plant.
In between, we talk on the phone and email about how things are looking overall in our gardens, what we’ve recently planted, what’s died, how much the tree pruner charged, large weeds we’ve uncovered, easy re-seeders.
We talk when our gardens look beautiful in late afternoon light and tell how bad and ugly they look in the harsh noon sun. We’ve had conversations many times about how we should order truckloads of soil amendments and spread them everywhere and also about the difficulties and failings of our watering systems.
Many times we have discussed garden simplicity. How unnecessary it is to try to grow too many different plants, we tell one another. How much smarter to choose a few that do well in our gardens. We’ve seen a number of garden plantings that made the point.
For instance, I once told Gretchen about a garden I’d seen, and she got so interested, she went to see it too. The Victorian house in the Berkeley flats was painted entirely white, wood siding, tall windows and trim. In front was a long concrete walkway from the sidewalk to the front porch.
On either side of the walk were planted pink blooming bergenia and white calla lilies. That’s all. The garden was neat and watered and looked wonderful and Gretchen and I still talk about it because we think we might follow the example.
Sometimes both Gretchen and I are actively, fully invested in our gardens. For weeks and weeks at a stretch, we spend time after work and during weekends tidying, feeding, rearranging, and adding new plants.
And there are times, sometimes for months, when we do very little in our gardens.
Just last week I heard from Gretchen that she had that day bought a pressure washer. She said she hoped that as she cleaned the arbored patio outside her living room, she would get back to gardening again. It seems that for quite a while she’d been so busy with work she’d done nothing in her garden.
She’d been feeling guilty about her neglect and this had caused more delay. She expected to find total ruin when she did finally go out there.
Brave soul, the day she purchased it, she took the washer to the patio and spent the entire afternoon working there, cut back overgrown wisteria, cleared away dead plants in pots and cleaned the concrete.
There was so much improvement for this that she was able to walk through and look at all of her garden areas.
While there was much that needed to be done — clearing, pruning, weeding — she was surprised to find good news — survivor plants that without care are still alive and looking good.
She says that in fact she finds it is truly interesting to look at one’s garden after being neglected for so long. Geraniums, roses, hydrangeas and others were overgrown but fine. Old nasturtium vines were brown and papery but, all on their own, new ones had started up.
Spotting the survivors encouraged Gretchen’s latest great garden idea: Use survivors to fill in empty spots.
Her bergenia plants, for instance, with no “hands-on” care at all, were healthy. Gretchen reeled off for me the virtues of bergenia. “Nothing eats it (well, snails like it). It doesn’t have a dead time. It’s really easy to take off those big brown dead leaf flaps. And once it’s in, it seems to never die no matter what condition.”
“So, my new garden plan is to plant five of the teeniest bergenia bedding plants every Sunday on the back hill.”
She explains that beginning at the house and working outward, she can plant more of those she now knows are survivors. More jasmine, clematis and ordinary feverfew. Dependable, pretty much “never fail” plants. And ferns, more plain green ferns would be a terrific idea.
“Maybe every garden should have a long period of neglect to see what it gets up to on its own. It’s possible,” she says, which sounds completely brilliant to me, “that I will someday be able to get my garden together.”
Pat Talbert and Anet Tarpoff are East Bay residential real estate agents who can be reached at (510) 653-2050 and at www.TarpoffandTalbert.com, where you can sign up to get these columns via email.


mercurynews--2020-12-11--Review: ‘The Prom’ works hard to be a good time

Can one movie make up for a year without musical theater , without jazz hands ?
Ryan Murphy ’ s “ The Prom ” tries its damnedest to , but despite a promising opening and a spiritedness that makes “ Glee ” look downright downtrodden by comparison , it ’ s not quite the showstopper we ’ ve been pining for .
With neon lights , sparkling suits and an all-star cast — Meryl !
Nicole !
Corden !
— “ The Prom ” certainly tries valiantly to take the glittering , giddy thrill of live musicals and stuff it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be just what some are craving ; too much Broadway razzle-dazzle isn ’ t exactly a problem right now , with theaters closed until at least summer .
“ The Prom ” begins streaming Friday on Netflix .
The stage show of “ The Prom ” — with a book by Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin , who also wrote the songs with Matthew Sklar , the stage show of “ The Prom ” was a fairly ingenious combination of earnest musical comedy and self-parody .
Murphy , working from a script by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over that tone , sending up Broadway just as its celebrating it .
The opening is a barnburner .
Dee Dee Allen ( Streep ) and Barry Clickman ( Corden ) are celebrating after the opening of their big new Broadway show , “ Eleanor !
, ” a misguided Eleanor Roosevelt musical , when the reviews start rolling in .
The party turns immediately to a wake , and Dee Dee and Barry begin drowning their sorrows with a pair of performers also on the outs ( Nicole Kidman , Andrew Rannells @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they resolve to turn things around with a PR-friendly cause to rally around .
“ A little injustice we can drive to , ” Dee Dee says , slurring over a martini .
It ’ s lines like that that make “ The Prom , ” for a time , a delight .
It works best when its skewering the Broadway bubble but on less certain footing once it leaves the Great White Way behind .
The foursome finds their cause celebre trending on Twitter : A gay teenager named Emma ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibly the movie ’ s only convincing person ) has been barred from bringing her girlfriend , Alyssa ( Ariana DeBose ) , to her prom in Edgewater , Indiana .
To the heartland they go , with intentions both altruistic and hollow , and Drama Desk statuettes packed in their designer luggage .
In Indiana , “ The Prom ” begins to more sincerely reckon with inclusion and LGBTQ rights , and occasional song-and-dance routines to go with it .
The film admirably gives each main character some attention , including scenes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Keegan-Michael Key , charming , mainly paired with Dee Dee ) and Alyssa ’ s conservative mother ( Kerry Washington ) , the vocal leader of the ban .
But that also comes at the expense of the movie ’ s initial headlong momentum and its running time , stretching out what might have been a more continuously funny movie until it starts to sag from the kind of self-congratulatory displays it initially satirizes .
None of this is so bad ; the film exudes the warm spirit of acceptance , and cinematographer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Born , ” “ Requiem for a Dream ” ) begins to bathe the film in a softer glow .
But it ’ s also a delicate juggling act of comic caricature and sincere sentiment , and Murphy can ’ t quite pull it off .
Some have made strong cases that the performance by Corden as a gay stereotype , in particular , is off-key .
Others are more successful .
Stop me if you ’ ve heard this before , but Meryl Streep is terrific .
More than anyone , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between Broadway and Middle America , proudly introducing herself as a “ gay-positive icon ” and trying to land a non-existent hotel suite by presenting her awards at the front desk .
“ The Prom ” works hard to be a good time , and I hope it is for many who could use one .
As an encore , I can only suggest another inclusive , liberal-minded party movie from this year that more directly captured the joy of being in a theater : “ David Byrne ’ s American Utopia.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , some suggestive/sexual references and language )

By Jake Coyle | Associated Press
Can one movie make up for a year without musical theater, without jazz hands? Ryan Murphy’s “The Prom” tries its damnedest to, but despite a promising opening and a spiritedness that makes “Glee” look downright downtrodden by comparison, it’s not quite the showstopper we’ve been pining for.
With neon lights, sparkling suits and an all-star cast — Meryl! Nicole! Corden! — “The Prom” certainly tries valiantly to take the glittering, giddy thrill of live musicals and stuff it into one steroidal overdose. That may be just what some are craving; too much Broadway razzle-dazzle isn’t exactly a problem right now, with theaters closed until at least summer. “The Prom” begins streaming Friday on Netflix.
The stage show of “The Prom” — with a book by Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin, who also wrote the songs with Matthew Sklar, the stage show of “The Prom” was a fairly ingenious combination of earnest musical comedy and self-parody. Murphy, working from a script by Martin and Beguilin, has energetically carried over that tone, sending up Broadway just as its celebrating it.
The opening is a barnburner. Dee Dee Allen (Streep) and Barry Clickman (Corden) are celebrating after the opening of their big new Broadway show, “Eleanor!,” a misguided Eleanor Roosevelt musical, when the reviews start rolling in. The party turns immediately to a wake, and Dee Dee and Barry begin drowning their sorrows with a pair of performers also on the outs (Nicole Kidman, Andrew Rannells). Fearing their careers slipping away, they resolve to turn things around with a PR-friendly cause to rally around. “A little injustice we can drive to,” Dee Dee says, slurring over a martini.
It’s lines like that that make “The Prom,” for a time, a delight. It works best when its skewering the Broadway bubble but on less certain footing once it leaves the Great White Way behind. The foursome finds their cause celebre trending on Twitter: A gay teenager named Emma (Jo Ellen Pellman, a highlight and possibly the movie’s only convincing person) has been barred from bringing her girlfriend, Alyssa (Ariana DeBose), to her prom in Edgewater, Indiana. To the heartland they go, with intentions both altruistic and hollow, and Drama Desk statuettes packed in their designer luggage.
In Indiana, “The Prom” begins to more sincerely reckon with inclusion and LGBTQ rights, and occasional song-and-dance routines to go with it. The film admirably gives each main character some attention, including scenes with the school’s principal (Keegan-Michael Key, charming, mainly paired with Dee Dee) and Alyssa’s conservative mother (Kerry Washington), the vocal leader of the ban. But that also comes at the expense of the movie’s initial headlong momentum and its running time, stretching out what might have been a more continuously funny movie until it starts to sag from the kind of self-congratulatory displays it initially satirizes.
None of this is so bad; the film exudes the warm spirit of acceptance, and cinematographer Matthew Libatique (“A Star Is Born,” “Requiem for a Dream”) begins to bathe the film in a softer glow. But it’s also a delicate juggling act of comic caricature and sincere sentiment, and Murphy can’t quite pull it off. Some have made strong cases that the performance by Corden as a gay stereotype, in particular, is off-key. Others are more successful. Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but Meryl Streep is terrific. More than anyone, she seems to relish parading through the gulf between Broadway and Middle America, proudly introducing herself as a “gay-positive icon” and trying to land a non-existent hotel suite by presenting her awards at the front desk.
“The Prom” works hard to be a good time, and I hope it is for many who could use one. As an encore, I can only suggest another inclusive, liberal-minded party movie from this year that more directly captured the joy of being in a theater: “David Byrne’s American Utopia.”
“The Prom”
2 1/2 stars out of 4
Rating: PG-13 (for thematic elements, some suggestive/sexual references and language)
Running time: 131 minutes


mercurynews--2020-12-11--Raiders mailbag: Addressing a litany of personnel errors from Jon Gruden-Mike Mayock regime

Got hit with what amounted to a lightning-round series of questions for this week ’ s mailbag from a reader via email about some of the Raiders questionable personnel decisions .
I normally try to hold the line at one question , but this one , via Nic Early on email , zeroed in on a lot of perceived mistakes , and also expressed surprise at the Raiders ’ 7-5 record in the face of the following decisions .
: So I ’ ll give a quick answer to each and then move on .
Not eating the cap hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way it worked out .
The wide receiver got hurt again .
Could the Raiders have foreseen that ?
Not really .
Free agency is a bummer so much of the time .
Keeping Richie Incognito on the roster then putting him on IR : They gave a veteran they like an opportunity to rehab , and no one got hurt by keeping him on the roster and allowing him to try .
Denzelle Good saw to that..
Ignoring free safety in the offseason : The Raiders gave it a shot with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get on the field enough to challenge Erik Harris for a roster spot .
If you ’ re not on the field and don ’ t have a big contract , Jon Gruden will move on .
The Carl Nassib contract : Inactive against the Jets , Nassib hasn ’ t approached the deal he got ( three years , $ 17 million guaranteed ) in terms of production .
Could be free agency fool ’ s gold .
Could be he ’ ll be better next season .
He ’ ll have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four games to make this look like something other than a mistake .
Maliek Collins and unrealistic expectations : I was writing about that early on .
Even if you buy in to all the pressures he had in Dallas last season , the whole “ Collins the key to the defense ” company line seemed way over the top .
Zero production from third-round draft class : It sure didn ’ t help that their first pick in the third round , Lynn Bowden Jr. , was so out of place he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Linebacker Tanner Muse , looked overmatched from the start of camp acccording to those on site and then got hurt and had surgery .
Wide receiver Bryan Edwards opened the season as a starter , and got hurt as well .
Not a promising start .
Keep in mind if you went over every team in the NFL , there there would be lots of personnel decisions that are questionable .
Players change teams for a reason .
The bottom line is Nic is right .
It ’ s remarkable the Raiders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many of these players they can salvage in the next couple of years .
Q : With the injuries at the safety position , these next couple games do we see more of Lamarcus Joyner lining up there ?
— @ devroyal7 Depends on the matchup and the opponent .
They ’ ve been pretty stubborn in leaving him as a nickel corner .
Based on the way the Raiders have operated , they ’ ll likely keep being stubborn with subtle changes rather than dramatic ones .
Which means Joyner will get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t be there fulltime .
Q : You were right about Mo Hurst .
He may be good rushing the quarterback , but from what I observed vs the Jets he gets manhandled vs the run .
The Raiders lost in the trenches last week .
The Colts are just as tough in the trenches so the big boys better step up this week .
Right ?
— @ Albydamn I believe what I said was the Raiders thought Hurst was better with limited snaps because he ’ s not a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also been dealing with COVID-19 and calf injuries .
But yes , the offensive and defensive lines need to be at or near their peak to deal with the Colts .
Q : After speaking so highly of Bryan Edwards in training camp , I am just not seeing it .
What are internal rumblings about Edwards .
— @ Edgelow He opened the season as a starter and got hurt .
When the train leaves the station , it ’ s tough for a rookie to catch up .
Especially with no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should find out in 2021 what Edwards has to offer .
Q : Do all y ’ all think NFL players are over paid ?
Underpaid ?
Or approximately fairly compensated ?
— @ Chappyskizm A player is worth whatever he can get a team to pay .
Q : Is Vic Beasley actually gon na play on Sunday ?
— @ KaleiKahelewai Curious to see if they lit a fire under Nassib or if they activate Beasley again .
Interesting tweet from Josh Dubow of Associated Press , the best stat man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s eight snaps included nothing special when he was on the field other than the strip-sack from Clelin Ferrell .
Q : What is Gruden ’ s aversion to screen plays ?
Seems like you would call one or more against Gregg Williams ’ blitzing defense .
— @ Schwartz_Sports If you guess right against a blitz , sure .
If you don ’ t , it ’ s a disaster .
Gruden has never run a lot of screens , like say , Andy Reid .
If you call a screen in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be right .
If not , you depend on your quarterback to get the ball out of his hand .
I think Gruden prefers having Derek Carr identify a blitz and find a hot receiver rather than a more elaborate screen which takes a lot more execution in terms of moving pieces acting in concert .
There aren ’ t a lot of teams that are good at running screens .
A lost art .
Q : What are the odds that Gruden makes a change at defensive coordinator after the season ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ t live in Las Vegas , I don ’ t have any odds for you .
If there ’ s a complete defensive collapse over the last four games while the offense is flourishing , then there ’ s a chance .
If not , and the offense misfires and the defense is showing an upward trend , then maybe not .
Gruden understands completely the hand Guenther has been dealt .
And it ’ s not a good one .
Q : I haven ’ t heard much about Mike Mayock lately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Is he planning to talk about his failures in signing players ?
Does he have the power to demand a change at defensive coordinator ?
— @ LeandroRaiders Mayock was pretty much underground last season as well during the season .
Of course he ’ s watching players .
And no , he ’ s not going to call any players ` failures ’ when they ’ re still under contract .
Who in their right mind would do that ?
The choice of defensive coordinator belongs to Gruden.. Q : Why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improvement when it comes to giving up points per game ?
— @ Juniorhernadez6 It ’ s not a good defense to start with .
But look at the Atlanta game .
Gave up 43 points .
One was on a pick-six .
The yards per play and other numbers weren ’ t horrible .
The defense isn ’ t good enough if offense is turning it over as was the case against the Falcons .
The Jets game was a debacle against the run .
The Colts are a very good opponent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of the weight .
it ’ s got a quarter of the season to prove its worth .
Q : Is David Irving coming back this year if we make the playoffs if not will he be back with the team next year ?
— @ Sneekzoner Teams are not required to give information on who ’ s practicing and who ’ s not on practice squad .
Given the way the Raiders are playing defensively , if someone was killing it during practice , he ’ d be playing on Sundays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside last game and it seems like it was one of his best games .
I know he has done this sometimes in the past as well but do you think there ’ s any plan to move him to DT more often or even full time on passing downs ?
— @ ABursky I wrote about this Thursday .
Here ’ s the link .
The short answer is yes , he ’ ll play both .
Q : What has been the biggest issue with stopping the run the last couple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had defensive linemen running up the field and linebackers not able to fill the gaps .
— @ brwong24 The Jets game was more an issue for me than the Atlanta game .
Guenther said it has to do with fitting run plays and missed tackles .
The standard answer .
And it ’ s usually the correct answer .
Beating the man in front of you , linebackers fitting the holes in concert with design .
Mostly it ’ s just want-to and and attitude .
The sad part is other than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , run defense hasn ’ t been awful in terms of being a determining factor in the final score until the Jets game .
Q : Fair to say Raiders player of the season is……Alec Ingold ?
— @ colinmehigan Worthy candidate for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Goes beyond football .
Q : What is a realistic prediction for the Raiders year-end record , and do they make the playoffs .
I am thinking 9-7 and probably not ?
— @ mrcdrum Agree on both counts .
A 9-7 record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indianapolis is a tossup with the edge going to the Colts based on what I ’ ve seen the last two games .
Q : Can Johnathan Abram ’ s style of play be toned down a bit so that he doesn ’ t blow assignments ( like vs KC ) or is this just who he is ?
Love the aggressive style but want him to be more structured in certain situation — @ RaidersFaninNC Abram has played only 11 games .
Of course he can learn , get better and determine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and when to get someone on the ground .
My bigger concern is if he can stay healthy .
Q : Why doesn ’ t Andre James get playing time with all the injuries we ’ ve had ?
He was outstanding in place of Rodney Hudson last year — @ DondiRaider Offensive linemen rarely rotate .
Centers never rotate .
Hudson is one of the best centers in the NFL .
James will learn everything he can from Hudson an be ready when called upon .
Q : The last couple years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and struggled getting their free agent acquisitions to perform well .
Is that a result of Mayock leading the draft evaluation and Gruden leading the free agent evaluations ?
— Gregafor ( email ) Gruden has the final say on the roster , who ’ s drafted and who ’ s signed in both free agency and the draft .
Mayock will argue and make his case .
But the buck stops with the head coach .
And this year ’ s draft , like free agency , hasn ’ t been anything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to write it off , however .
• Raiders ’ Clelin Ferrell coming off game even Khalil Mack would envy • Looks like Raiders will have Josh Jacobs , Trent Brown , Johnathan Abram for Colts • Colts ’ DeForest Buckner represents everything Raiders need on defensive front Q : Good article on DeForest Buckner .
Do you think the Raiders revisit a Quinnen Williams trade this off season to secure a penetrating three-technique of their own ?
— Ronald Ferrell ( email ) Hard to believe whatever new regime takes over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if that were the case , I ’ m sure the Raiders would be interested .
But not sure how much draft capital they ’ d give up .
Mayock treats draft picks like gold , and Gruden seems inclined to go along with that .
Q : With the college season being all weird this year ( thank COVID-19 ) with games and bowl games being canceled who do you see the Raiders drafting and what area is top on the list ?
— Jeff Maier ( email ) You draft guys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re picking or who ’ s coming out and who ’ s not .
They ’ ll be somewhere in the middle .
Pencil me in for the best edge rusher or linebacker who can really run .
Unless of course they cut Trent Brown and Gabe Jackson because of the smaller cap .
.
.
see where this is going ?
Lots to be determined .
Have zero idea who they ’ ll take .
Q : What are some good replacement options for Paul Guenther ?
Also , what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Do you think he deserves a bigger role ?
— Trey Brewer ( email ) Frank Smith has always struck me as a bright and progressive coach and have heard good things .
Tight ends coach for the Raiders is a big role with Gruden .
Huge , in fact .
Wouldn ’ t surprise me at all if he emerged as a coordinator somewhere .
As for Guenther , and the weekly firing mailbag speculation , think in terms of someone who has worked with Gruden before .
Derrick Ansley perhaps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2018 ) ?
Raheem Morris if he doesn ’ t land a head coaching gig in Atlanta or somewhere else ?
You ’ re jumping the gun on Guenther , though .

Got hit with what amounted to a lightning-round series of questions for this week’s mailbag from a reader via email about some of the Raiders questionable personnel decisions.
I normally try to hold the line at one question, but this one, via Nic Early on email, zeroed in on a lot of perceived mistakes, and also expressed surprise at the Raiders’ 7-5 record in the face of the following decisions.
So I’ll give a quick answer to each and then move on.
Not eating the cap hit on Tyrell Williams: Big mistake given the way it worked out. The wide receiver got hurt again. Could the Raiders have foreseen that? Not really. Free agency is a bummer so much of the time.
Keeping Richie Incognito on the roster then putting him on IR: They gave a veteran they like an opportunity to rehab, and no one got hurt by keeping him on the roster and allowing him to try. Denzelle Good saw to that.
Ignoring free safety in the offseason: The Raiders gave it a shot with Damarious Randall. He couldn’t get on the field enough to challenge Erik Harris for a roster spot. If you’re not on the field and don’t have a big contract, Jon Gruden will move on.
The Carl Nassib contract: Inactive against the Jets, Nassib hasn’t approached the deal he got (three years, $17 million guaranteed) in terms of production. Could be free agency fool’s gold. Could be he’ll be better next season. He’ll have to do a lot in the last four games to make this look like something other than a mistake.
Maliek Collins and unrealistic expectations: I was writing about that early on. Even if you buy in to all the pressures he had in Dallas last season, the whole “Collins the key to the defense” company line seemed way over the top.
Zero production from third-round draft class: It sure didn’t help that their first pick in the third round, Lynn Bowden Jr., was so out of place he turned out to be a dump job. Linebacker Tanner Muse looked overmatched from the start of camp according to those on site and then got hurt and had surgery. Wide receiver Bryan Edwards opened the season as a starter, and got hurt as well. Not a promising start.
Keep in mind if you went over every team in the NFL, there there would be lots of personnel decisions that are questionable. Players change teams for a reason.
The bottom line is Nic is right. It’s remarkable the Raiders are 7-5. Curious to see how many of these players they can salvage in the next couple of years.
Q: With the injuries at the safety position, these next couple games do we see more of Lamarcus Joyner lining up there? — @devroyal7
Depends on the matchup and the opponent. They’ve been pretty stubborn in leaving him as a nickel corner. Based on the way the Raiders have operated, they’ll likely keep being stubborn with subtle changes rather than dramatic ones. Which means Joyner will get a taste of playing deep, but won’t be there fulltime.
Q: You were right about Mo Hurst. He may be good rushing the quarterback, but from what I observed vs the Jets he gets manhandled vs. the run. The Raiders lost in the trenches last week. The Colts are just as tough in the trenches so the big boys better step up this week. Right? — @Albydamn
I believe what I said was the Raiders thought Hurst was better with limited snaps because he’s not a huge interior tackle. He’s also been dealing with COVID-19 and calf injuries. But yes, the offensive and defensive lines need to be at or near their peak to deal with the Colts.
Q: After speaking so highly of Bryan Edwards in training camp, I am just not seeing it. What are internal rumblings about Edwards? — @Edgelow
He opened the season as a starter and got hurt. When the train leaves the station, it’s tough for a rookie to catch up. Especially with no offseason, minicamps, etc. We should find out in 2021 what Edwards has to offer.
Q: Do all y’all think NFL players are over paid? Underpaid? Or approximately fairly compensated? — @Chappyskizm
A player is worth whatever he can get a team to pay.
Q: Is Vic Beasley actually gonna play on Sunday? — @KaleiKahelewai
Curious to see if they lit a fire under Nassib or if they activate Beasley again. Interesting tweet from Josh Dubow of Associated Press, the best stat man in the business, that Beasley’s eight snaps included nothing special when he was on the field other than the strip-sack from Clelin Ferrell.
Q: What is Gruden’s aversion to screen plays? Seems like you would call one or more against Gregg Williams’ blitzing defense. — @Schwartz_Sports
If you guess right against a blitz, sure. If you don’t, it’s a disaster. Gruden has never run a lot of screens, like say, Andy Reid. If you call a screen in the huddle, you’d better be right. If not, you depend on your quarterback to get the ball out of his hand. I think Gruden prefers having Derek Carr identify a blitz and find a hot receiver rather than a more elaborate screen, which takes a lot more execution in terms of moving pieces acting in concert. There aren’t a lot of teams that are good at running screens. A lost art.
Q: What are the odds that Gruden makes a change at defensive coordinator after the season? — @Caldwell_Jim
Since I don’t live in Las Vegas, I don’t have any odds for you. If there’s a complete defensive collapse over the last four games while the offense is flourishing, then there’s a chance. If not, and the offense misfires and the defense is showing an upward trend, then maybe not. Gruden understands completely the hand Guenther has been dealt. And it’s not a good one.
Q: I haven’t heard much about Mike Mayock lately. Is he only watching college film? Is he planning to talk about his failures in signing players? Does he have the power to demand a change at defensive coordinator? — @LeandroRaiders
Mayock was pretty much underground last year as well during the season. Of course he’s watching players. And no, he’s not going to call any players ‘failures’ when they’re still under contract. Who in their right mind would do that? The choice of defensive coordinator belongs to Gruden.
Q: Why hasn’t this defense shown any improvement when it comes to giving up points per game ? — @Juniorhernadez6
It’s not a good defense to start with. But look at the Atlanta game. Gave up 43 points. One was on a pick-six. The yards per play and other numbers weren’t horrible. The defense isn’t good enough if offense is turning it over as was the case against the Falcons. The Jets game was a debacle against the run. The Colts are a very good opponent. Defense needs to pull at least some of the weight. It’s got a quarter of the season to prove its worth.
Q: Is David Irving coming back this year if we make the playoffs if not will he be back with the team next year? — @Sneekzoner
Teams are not required to give information on who’s practicing and who’s not on practice squad. Given the way the Raiders are playing defensively, if someone was killing it during practice, he’d be playing on Sundays.
Q: Clelin Ferrell was playing inside last game and it seems like it was one of his best games. I know he has done this sometimes in the past as well but do you think there’s any plan to move him to DT more often or even full time on passing downs? — @ABursky
I wrote about this Thursday. Here’s the link. The short answer is yes, he’ll play both.
Q: What has been the biggest issue with stopping the run the last couple of games? Seemed to me we had defensive linemen running up the field and linebackers not able to fill the gaps. — @brwong24
The Jets game was more an issue for me than the Atlanta game. Guenther said it has to do with fitting run plays and missed tackles. The standard answer. And it’s usually the correct answer. Beating the man in front of you, linebackers fitting the holes in concert with design. Mostly it’s just want-to and and attitude. The sad part is other than the New England game in Week 3, run defense hasn’t been awful in terms of being a determining factor in the final score until the Jets game.
Q: Fair to say Raiders player of the season is……Alec Ingold? — @colinmehigan
Worthy candidate for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Goes beyond football.
Q: What is a realistic prediction for the Raiders year-end record, and do they make the playoffs. I am thinking 9-7 and probably not? — @mrcdrum
Agree on both counts. A 9-7 record doesn’t do it, and Indianapolis is a tossup with the edge going to the Colts based on what I’ve seen the last two games.
Q: Can Johnathan Abram’s style of play be toned down a bit so that he doesn’t blow assignments (like vs KC) or is this just who he is? Love the aggressive style but want him to be more structured in certain situation — @RaidersFaninNC
Abram has played only 11 games. Of course he can learn, get better and determine when to go for the big shot and when to get someone on the ground. My bigger concern is if he can stay healthy.
Q: Why doesn’t Andre James get playing time with all the injuries we’ve had? He was outstanding in place of Rodney Hudson last year — @DondiRaider
Offensive linemen rarely rotate. Centers never rotate. Hudson is one of the best centers in the NFL. James will learn everything he can from Hudson an be ready when called upon.
Q: The last couple years the Raiders have seemed to draft well and struggled getting their free agent acquisitions to perform well. Is that a result of Mayock leading the draft evaluation and Gruden leading the free agent evaluations? — Gregafor (email)
Gruden has the final say on the roster, who’s drafted and who’s signed in both free agency and the draft. Mayock will argue and make his case. But the buck stops with the head coach. And this year’s draft, like free agency, hasn’t been anything to brag about. Way too early to write it off, however.
Q: Good article on DeForest Buckner. Do you think the Raiders revisit a Quinnen Williams trade this off season to secure a penetrating three-technique of their own? — Ronald Ferrell (email)
Hard to believe whatever new regime takes over the Jets will part with Williams. And if that were the case, I’m sure the Raiders would be interested. But not sure how much draft capital they’d give up. Mayock treats draft picks like gold, and Gruden seems inclined to go along with that.
Q: With the college season being all weird this year (thank COVID-19) with games and bowl games being canceled who do you see the Raiders drafting and what area is top on the list? — Jeff Maier (email)
You draft guys kill me. Don’t know where they’re picking or who’s coming out and who’s not. They’ll be somewhere in the middle. Pencil me in for the best edge rusher or linebacker who can really run. Unless of course they cut Trent Brown and Gabe Jackson because of the smaller cap . . . see where this is going? Lots to be determined. Have zero idea who they’ll take.
Q: What are some good replacement options for Paul Guenther? Also, what does the league think about Frank Smith? Do you think he deserves a bigger role? — Trey Brewer (email)
Frank Smith has always struck me as a bright and progressive coach and have heard good things. Tight ends coach for the Raiders is a big role with Gruden. Huge, in fact. Wouldn’t surprise me at all if he emerged as a coordinator somewhere. As for Guenther, and the weekly firing mailbag speculation, think in terms of someone who has worked with Gruden before. Derrick Ansley perhaps (Tennessee D-coordinator, Raiders DB coach in 2018)? Raheem Morris if he doesn’t land a head coaching gig in Atlanta or somewhere else? You’re jumping the gun on Guenther, though.


mercurynews--2020-12-11--Bay Area man’s documentary a love letter to DeLorean fans

Jordan Livingston was just a year old when the last DeLorean sports car rolled off the assembly line in Dunmurry , just outside Belfast in Northern Ireland , a mere three years after it debuted , but as a boy the car — with its sleek metallic look and gull-wing doors — spoke to him .
In fact , he became obsessed with it .
What he didn ’ t realize is that a lot of people are obsessed with the car — launched in 1981 by American engineer John DeLorean , known for his work at General Motors before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to its appearance in the wildly popular “ Back to the Future ” movies .
Twelve years after he began working on a documentary on the iconic car , the San Rafael resident ’ s “ DeLorean — Living the Dream , ” will be screened virtually Monday as part of the Tiburon International Film Festival , which runs through Dec. 17 .
“ I always wanted one but it was out of my price range , ” says Livingston , who worked full time in the film industry while also researching , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I made this movie partially as a way to get close to the car.
” There have been numerous movies made about the rise and spectacularly scandalous fall of the car ’ s founder , including 2019 ’ s “ Framing John DeLorean , ” as well as the failed car .
It was , as Barrie Wills , author of three books on John DeLorean , says in the film , “ The greatest near miss in automotive history.
” In 2007 , when DMC in Texas announced it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a large cache of original parts , Livingston directed a short film for a now-defunct online media outlet about the new rollout and thought that would be that .
But once he discovered the international community of DeLorean fans and owners and their passion for the automobile — there are some 6,500 of them still on the road around the world , and numerous conventions , gatherings and online groups dedicated to it — he realized that ’ s the story that needed to be told .
The documentary — his first — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it ’ s really about how , 40 years after the car was introduced , people have embraced the advertising slogan — “ Live the Dream.
” Narrated by Petaluma actor Jeffrey Weissman , best known for his iconic role as George McFly in the second and third “ Back to the Future ” movies , the documentary features interviews with owners ; enthusiasts ; former DMC factory workers and executives in Dunmurry ; DeLorean ’ s daughter Kathryn and automotive journalists , as well as “ Back to the Future ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the film have spent years and a lot of money trying to re-create in painstaking detail the time-traveling DeLorean featured in “ Back to the Future.
” “ There are two different types of DeLorean owners .
There are owners who see it as a way of connecting with their favorite film and connecting with their childhood .
Then there are owners who are purists and really know the history and all the innovations DeLorean came up with and breakthrough technologies that have nothing to do with ‘ Back to the Future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think there ’ s no question that without the ‘ Back to the Future ’ movies , the car would not be the zeitgeist in the same way.
” Still , Livingston was quite surprised to find another view of the sports car when he went to Dunmurry for the first of three times to interview people who worked on the car .
“ There was a stark contrast .
If you interview DeLorean enthusiasts here in the States , it ’ s all about how cool the car is and how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Future ’ movies , ” says Livingston , 38 , who grew up in Tiburon .
“ But then you go to Northern Ireland and talk to people who either worked on the car or their father worked on the car or their neighbor worked on the car , and they are absolutely impassioned and emotional .
It was like a milestone event in these people ’ s lives .
And when you see that , you realize this was so much more than just a car — it really is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his film as offering an uplifting message that speaks to the moment .
“ In a time when we ’ re so divided and so polarized and , now more than ever because of COVID , so isolated , I really think this demonstrates how easy it is for people from all walks of life to come together and find common ground , ” he says .
“ You have people from all walks of life from all over the world with different politics , with language barriers , and they all get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because they ’ re focusing on something that they share in common .
It reminds me of how much we can accomplish when we come together and focus on something positive rather than our differences.
” Livingston credits the generosity , help and support of the DeLorean community during the 12 years he worked on the film for keeping him going .
The documentary is a love letter to them .
They not only lead him to the film , but also to a marriage — he met his wife in Northern Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years ago , a DeLorean of his own .
“ One thing that happens when you ’ re around DeLorean owners is that everybody is reaching out to you to let you know when there ’ s a car to buy , ” he says .
• ‘ I ’ m Your Woman ’ is flawed but compelling • Streaming movie picks : David Fincher ’ s ‘ Mank ’ one of 2020 ’ s best films And all the gushing they do about the car in his film ?
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You can ’ t go anywhere in a DeLorean in a hurry .
If you ’ re stopping to get gas , that could be a 30-minute photo session .
A lot of people have described it as a smile machine .
Everybody loves the car , ” he says .
“ There are a lot of luxury cars in Marin and a lot of people don ’ t even turn their heads at a $ 200,000 Ferrari or Porsche , but everybody looks at the DeLorean .
You definitely want to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before you go out.
” Details : “ DeLorean — Living the Dream ” will be screened virtually at 8 p.m. Monday as part of the Tiburon International Film Festival , through Dec. 17 .
To purchase tickets , $ 11 , and to see a schedule of films , go to bingewave.com/f/tiburon-international-film-festival

Jordan Livingston was just a year old when the last DeLorean sports car rolled off the assembly line in Dunmurry, just outside Belfast in Northern Ireland, a mere three years after it debuted, but as a boy the car — with its sleek metallic look and gull-wing doors — spoke to him.
In fact, he became obsessed with it.
What he didn’t realize is that a lot of people are obsessed with the car — launched in 1981 by American engineer John DeLorean, known for his work at General Motors before founding the DeLorean Motor Co. — thanks to its appearance in the wildly popular “Back to the Future” movies.
Twelve years after he began working on a documentary on the iconic car, the San Rafael resident’s “DeLorean — Living the Dream,” will be screened virtually Monday as part of the Tiburon International Film Festival, which runs through Dec. 17.
“I always wanted one but it was out of my price range,” says Livingston, who worked full time in the film industry while also researching, filming and editing his self-financed labor-of-love film. “I made this movie partially as a way to get close to the car.”
There have been numerous movies made about the rise and spectacularly scandalous fall of the car’s founder, including 2019’s “Framing John DeLorean,” as well as the failed car. It was, as Barrie Wills, author of three books on John DeLorean, says in the film, “The greatest near miss in automotive history.”
In 2007, when DMC in Texas announced it was going to manufacture new DeLoreans made from a large cache of original parts, Livingston directed a short film for a now-defunct online media outlet about the new rollout and thought that would be that.
But once he discovered the international community of DeLorean fans and owners and their passion for the automobile — there are some 6,500 of them still on the road around the world, and numerous conventions, gatherings and online groups dedicated to it — he realized that’s the story that needed to be told.
The documentary — his first — is about the car of course, but it’s really about how, 40 years after the car was introduced, people have embraced the advertising slogan — “Live the Dream.”
Narrated by Petaluma actor Jeffrey Weissman, best known for his iconic role as George McFly in the second and third “Back to the Future” movies, the documentary features interviews with owners; enthusiasts; former DMC factory workers and executives in Dunmurry; DeLorean’s daughter Kathryn and automotive journalists, as well as “Back to the Future” cast and crew.
Some fans featured in the film have spent years and a lot of money trying to re-create in painstaking detail the time-traveling DeLorean featured in “Back to the Future.”
“There are two different types of DeLorean owners. There are owners who see it as a way of connecting with their favorite film and connecting with their childhood. Then there are owners who are purists and really know the history and all the innovations DeLorean came up with and breakthrough technologies that have nothing to do with ‘Back to the Future,’” he says. “I think there’s no question that without the ‘Back to the Future’ movies, the car would not be the zeitgeist in the same way.”
Still, Livingston was quite surprised to find another view of the sports car when he went to Dunmurry for the first of three times to interview people who worked on the car.
“There was a stark contrast. If you interview DeLorean enthusiasts here in the States, it’s all about how cool the car is and how much they love the ‘Back to the Future’ movies,” says Livingston, 38, who grew up in Tiburon. “But then you go to Northern Ireland and talk to people who either worked on the car or their father worked on the car or their neighbor worked on the car, and they are absolutely impassioned and emotional. It was like a milestone event in these people’s lives. And when you see that, you realize this was so much more than just a car — it really is a chapter in world history.”
Livingston sees his film as offering an uplifting message that speaks to the moment.
“In a time when we’re so divided and so polarized and, now more than ever because of COVID, so isolated, I really think this demonstrates how easy it is for people from all walks of life to come together and find common ground,” he says. “You have people from all walks of life from all over the world with different politics, with language barriers, and they all get along and have a great time together because they’re focusing on something that they share in common. It reminds me of how much we can accomplish when we come together and focus on something positive rather than our differences.”
Livingston credits the generosity, help and support of the DeLorean community during the 12 years he worked on the film for keeping him going. The documentary is a love letter to them. They not only lead him to the film, but also to a marriage — he met his wife in Northern Ireland — and, as of about five years ago, a DeLorean of his own.
“One thing that happens when you’re around DeLorean owners is that everybody is reaching out to you to let you know when there’s a car to buy,” he says.
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“You can’t go anywhere in a DeLorean in a hurry. If you’re stopping to get gas, that could be a 30-minute photo session. A lot of people have described it as a smile machine. Everybody loves the car,” he says.
“There are a lot of luxury cars in Marin and a lot of people don’t even turn their heads at a $200,000 Ferrari or Porsche, but everybody looks at the DeLorean. You definitely want to make sure you’ve done your hair before you go out.”
Details: “DeLorean — Living the Dream” will be screened virtually at 8 p.m. Monday as part of the Tiburon International Film Festival, through Dec. 17. To purchase tickets, $11, and to see a schedule of films, go to bingewave.com/f/tiburon-international-film-festival


mercurynews--2020-12-12--Video: Warriors’ Paschall discusses offseason work and defensive lessons from Green

Heading into his second season , Warriors forward Eric Paschall offered some insight into his offseason work and the direction @ @ @ @ @ a post-practice news conference , Paschall said that the team has a more youthful energy @ @ @ @ @ that the Warriors will be a fast-paced team .
He was also asked about his @ @ @ @ @ forward said that most of it was spent on improving his 3-point shooting as well @ @ @ @ @ on his rookie year , he said he learned a lot from Draymond Green , @ @ @ @ @ year .
The all-stars forward way of teaching didn ’ t bother him , and @ @ @ @ @ As for his second year in the league , he said it has been much @ @ @ @ @ the coaching staff wants from him .
The Golden State Warriors will face the Denver @ @ @ @ @ home .
It will be a game played without a crowd .

Heading into his second season, Warriors forward Eric Paschall offered some insight into his offseason work and the direction of the team.
In a post-practice news conference, Paschall said that the team has a more youthful energy and that will likely mean that the Warriors will be a fast-paced team. He was also asked about his offseason work, and the forward said that most of it was spent on improving his 3-point shooting as well as his defense.
Reflecting on his rookie year, he said he learned a lot from Draymond Green, former defensive player of the year. The all-stars forward way of teaching didn’t bother him, and he said enjoyed it. As for his second year in the league, he said it has been much easier because he knows what the coaching staff wants from him.
The Golden State Warriors will face the Denver Nuggets at 4:30 p.m. at home. It will be a game played without a crowd.


mercurynews--2020-12-12--Senior Living: What seniors can expect when COVID vaccines begin to roll out

Vaccines that protect against COVID-19 are on the way .
What should older adults expect ?
The first candidates , from Pfizer and Moderna , could arrive before Christmas , according to Alex Azar , who heads the Department of Health and Human Services .
Both vaccines are notably effective in preventing illness due to the coronavirus , according to information released by the companies , although much of the data from clinical trials is still to come .
Both have been tested in adults age 65 and older , who mounted a strong immune response .
Seniors in nursing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among the first Americans vaccinated , following recommendations last week by a federal advisory panel .
Older adults living at home will need to wait a while longer .
Many uncertainties remain .
Among them : What side effects can older adults anticipate and how often will these occur ?
Will the vaccines offer meaningful protection to seniors who are frail or have multiple chronic illnesses ?
Here ’ s a look at what ’ s known , what ’ s not and what lies ahead .
Decision-making timetable .
Pfizer ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Drug Administration advisory panel on Thursday , Dec. 10 .
Moderna ’ s vaccine is expected to go before the panel Dec. 17 .
At least two days before each meeting , an analysis by FDA staff will be made public .
This will be the first opportunity to see extensive data about the vaccines ’ performance in large phase 3 clinical trials , including more details about their impact on older adults .
So far , summary results disclosed in news releases indicate that Pfizer ’ s vaccine , produced in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efficacy rate of 95 % and efficacy of 94 % in people 65 and older .
Moderna ’ s overall efficacy is 94 % , with 87 % efficacy in preventing moderate disease in older adults , according to Moncef Slaoui , chief science adviser to Operation Warp Speed , the government ’ s COVID-19 vaccine development program .
If the advisory panel gives a green light , the FDA will decide within days or weeks whether to authorize the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for emergency use .
Distribution of the vaccine has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are expected to begin administering it immediately after the FDA acts .
Allocation framework .
At a Dec. 1 meeting of the Advisory Commission on Immunization Practices , which guides the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccines , experts recommended that people living in long-term care and health care workers be the first groups to get COVID-19 vaccines .
This recognizes the extraordinary burden of COVID-19 in long-term care facilities .
Although their residents represent fewer than 1 % of the U.S. population , they account for 40 % of COVID @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date .
The commission ’ s decision comes despite a lack of evidence that Pfizer ’ s and Moderna ’ s vaccines are effective and safe for frail , vulnerable seniors in long-term care .
Vaccines were not tested in this population .
Federal officials insist side effects will be carefully monitored .
Next in line likely would be essential workers who can not work from home , such as police , firefighters , teachers and people employed in food processing and transportation , according to commission deliberations Nov. 23 that have not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be adults with high-risk medical conditions such as diabetes , cancer , kidney disease , obesity , heart disease and autoimmune diseases and all adults age 65 and older .
Although states typically follow ACIP guidelines , some states may choose , for instance , to vaccinate high-risk older adults before some categories of essential workers .
Left off the list are family caregivers , who provide essential support to vulnerable older adults living in the community — an unpaid workforce of tens of millions of people .
“ If someone is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they should have access to the vaccine , too , to keep everyone safe , ” said Beth Kallmyer , vice president of care and support for the Alzheimer ’ s Association .
Further prioritization .
The priority groups constitute nearly half of the U.S. population — 21 million healthcare workers , 3 million long-term care residents , 66 million essential workers , more than 100 million adults with high-risk conditions and 53 million adults age 65 and older .
With initial supplies of vaccines limited , setting priorities will be inevitable .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ physicians may try to identify older adults who are at the highest risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 and offer them vaccines before other seniors .
A study of more than 500,000 Medicare beneficiaries age 65 and older provides new evidence that could influence these assessments .
It found the conditions that most increase older adults ’ chances of dying from COVID-19 are sickle cell disease , chronic kidney disease , leukemias and lymphomas , heart failure , diabetes , cerebral palsy , obesity , lung cancer and heart attacks , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses , administered three to four weeks apart .
The companies have said about 40 million doses of their vaccines should be available this year , enough to fully vaccinate about 20 million people .
After that , 50 million doses might become available in January , followed by 60 million doses in both February and March , according to Dr. Larry Corey , a virologist who heads the COVID-19 Prevention Trials Network .
That translates into enough vaccine for another 85 million people and should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addition to medical personnel on the front lines and many other at-risk individuals , Corey suggested at a recent panel on COVID-19 sponsored by the National Academy of Medicine and American Public Health Association .
He acknowledged these were estimates , based on information he has been given .
Pfizer and Moderna have not yet specified how much vaccine will be delivered and when .
Nor is it clear when other vaccines under investigation will become available — 13 are in phase 3 clinical trials — or what their monthly production capacity might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s and Moderna ’ s vaccines are rolled out , a very vulnerable group may have difficulty getting them : 2 million seniors who are homebound and another 5.3 million with physical impairments who have problems getting around .
Pfizer ’ s vaccine needs to be stored at minus 70 degrees Celsius , calling for special equipment not available in small hospitals , clinics or doctors ’ offices .
Moderna ’ s vaccine needs long-term storage at minus 20 degrees Celsius .
Landmark Health provides in-home medical care to more than 120,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 states .
“ We don ’ t have the capabilities to store and distribute these vaccines to our population , ” said Dr. Michael Le , the company ’ s co-founder and chief medical officer .
Instead , he said , Landmark is working to arrange transportation for its patients to centers where COVID-19 vaccines will be administered and educating them about the benefits of the vaccines .
“ Given the trust , the bond we have with our patients , we can play a big role as advocates , ” Le @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a big job ahead of them .
According to a recent poll from the University of Michigan , only 58 % of older adults ( ages 50 to 80 ) said they were very or somewhat likely to get a COVID-19 vaccine .
A significant number of older adults , 46 % , thought they ’ d get the vaccine eventually but wanted others to go first .
Only 20 % wanted to get it as soon as possible .
Most important in making decisions is knowing how well the vaccine works , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ older adults surveyed .
Just over half ( 52 % ) said a recommendation from their doctor would be influential .
Dr. Sharon Inouye , a geriatrician at Hebrew Senior Life in Boston and a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School , is among the physicians impatiently awaiting the publication of data from Pfizer ’ s and Moderna ’ s phase 3 clinical trials .
Among the things she wants to know : How many older adults with chronic health conditions participated ?
How many participants were 75 and older ?
Did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ What I worry about most is the side effects , ” she said .
“ We may not be able to know about serious but rare side effects until millions of people take them.
” But that ’ s a gamble she ’ s willing to take .
Not only will Inouye get a vaccine , she just told her 91-year-old mother , who lives in assisted living , to say “ yes ” when one is offered .
“ My whole family lives in fear that something will happen to her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Even though there ’ s a lot we still don ’ t know about these vaccines , it ’ s compelling that we protect people from this overwhelming illness.
” Kaiser Health News is a nonprofit news service covering health issues .
It is an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation , which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente .

Vaccines that protect against COVID-19 are on the way. What should older adults expect?
The first candidates, from Pfizer and Moderna, could arrive before Christmas, according to Alex Azar, who heads the Department of Health and Human Services.
Both vaccines are notably effective in preventing illness due to the coronavirus, according to information released by the companies, although much of the data from clinical trials is still to come. Both have been tested in adults age 65 and older, who mounted a strong immune response.
Seniors in nursing homes and assisted living centers will be among the first Americans vaccinated, following recommendations last week by a federal advisory panel. Older adults living at home will need to wait a while longer.
Many uncertainties remain. Among them: What side effects can older adults anticipate and how often will these occur? Will the vaccines offer meaningful protection to seniors who are frail or have multiple chronic illnesses?
Here’s a look at what’s known, what’s not and what lies ahead.
Decision-making timetable. Pfizer’s vaccine was evaluated by a 15-member Food and Drug Administration advisory panel on Thursday, Dec. 10. Moderna’s vaccine is expected to go before the panel Dec. 17.
At least two days before each meeting, an analysis by FDA staff will be made public. This will be the first opportunity to see extensive data about the vaccines’ performance in large phase 3 clinical trials, including more details about their impact on older adults.
So far, summary results disclosed in news releases indicate that Pfizer’s vaccine, produced in partnership with BioNTech, has an overall efficacy rate of 95% and efficacy of 94% in people 65 and older. Moderna’s overall efficacy is 94%, with 87% efficacy in preventing moderate disease in older adults, according to Moncef Slaoui, chief science adviser to Operation Warp Speed, the government’s COVID-19 vaccine development program.
If the advisory panel gives a green light, the FDA will decide within days or weeks whether to authorize the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for emergency use. Distribution of the vaccine has already begun, and health care providers are expected to begin administering it immediately after the FDA acts.
Allocation framework. At a Dec. 1 meeting of the Advisory Commission on Immunization Practices, which guides the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccines, experts recommended that people living in long-term care and health care workers be the first groups to get COVID-19 vaccines.
This recognizes the extraordinary burden of COVID-19 in long-term care facilities. Although their residents represent fewer than 1% of the U.S. population, they account for 40% of COVID deaths — more than 100,000 deaths to date.
The commission’s decision comes despite a lack of evidence that Pfizer’s and Moderna’s vaccines are effective and safe for frail, vulnerable seniors in long-term care. Vaccines were not tested in this population. Federal officials insist side effects will be carefully monitored.
Next in line likely would be essential workers who cannot work from home, such as police, firefighters, teachers and people employed in food processing and transportation, according to commission deliberations Nov. 23 that have not come to a formal vote.
Then would be adults with high-risk medical conditions such as diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, obesity, heart disease and autoimmune diseases and all adults age 65 and older.
Although states typically follow ACIP guidelines, some states may choose, for instance, to vaccinate high-risk older adults before some categories of essential workers.
Left off the list are family caregivers, who provide essential support to vulnerable older adults living in the community — an unpaid workforce of tens of millions of people. “If someone is providing day-to-day care, it makes sense they should have access to the vaccine, too, to keep everyone safe,” said Beth Kallmyer, vice president of care and support for the Alzheimer’s Association.
Further prioritization. The priority groups constitute nearly half of the U.S. population — 21 million healthcare workers, 3 million long-term care residents, 66 million essential workers, more than 100 million adults with high-risk conditions and 53 million adults age 65 and older.
With initial supplies of vaccines limited, setting priorities will be inevitable. Practically, this means that hospitals and physicians may try to identify older adults who are at the highest risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 and offer them vaccines before other seniors.
A study of more than 500,000 Medicare beneficiaries age 65 and older provides new evidence that could influence these assessments. It found the conditions that most increase older adults’ chances of dying from COVID-19 are sickle cell disease, chronic kidney disease, leukemias and lymphomas, heart failure, diabetes, cerebral palsy, obesity, lung cancer and heart attacks, in that order.
Supplies available. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses, administered three to four weeks apart. The companies have said about 40 million doses of their vaccines should be available this year, enough to fully vaccinate about 20 million people.
After that, 50 million doses might become available in January, followed by 60 million doses in both February and March, according to Dr. Larry Corey, a virologist who heads the COVID-19 Prevention Trials Network.
That translates into enough vaccine for another 85 million people and should be sufficient to vaccinate older adults in addition to medical personnel on the front lines and many other at-risk individuals, Corey suggested at a recent panel on COVID-19 sponsored by the National Academy of Medicine and American Public Health Association.
He acknowledged these were estimates, based on information he has been given. Pfizer and Moderna have not yet specified how much vaccine will be delivered and when. Nor is it clear when other vaccines under investigation will become available — 13 are in phase 3 clinical trials — or what their monthly production capacity might be.
Distribution issues. As Pfizer’s and Moderna’s vaccines are rolled out, a very vulnerable group may have difficulty getting them: 2 million seniors who are homebound and another 5.3 million with physical impairments who have problems getting around.
The reason: handling and cold storage requirements.
Pfizer’s vaccine needs to be stored at minus 70 degrees Celsius, calling for special equipment not available in small hospitals, clinics or doctors’ offices. Moderna’s vaccine needs long-term storage at minus 20 degrees Celsius.
Landmark Health provides in-home medical care to more than 120,000 frail, chronically ill homebound seniors in 15 states. “We don’t have the capabilities to store and distribute these vaccines to our population,” said Dr. Michael Le, the company’s co-founder and chief medical officer.
Instead, he said, Landmark is working to arrange transportation for its patients to centers where COVID-19 vaccines will be administered and educating them about the benefits of the vaccines. “Given the trust, the bond we have with our patients, we can play a big role as advocates,” Le said.
Addressing mistrust. Advocates have a big job ahead of them. According to a recent poll from the University of Michigan, only 58% of older adults (ages 50 to 80) said they were very or somewhat likely to get a COVID-19 vaccine. A significant number of older adults, 46%, thought they’d get the vaccine eventually but wanted others to go first. Only 20% wanted to get it as soon as possible.
Most important in making decisions is knowing how well the vaccine works, according to 80% of the 1,556 older adults surveyed. Just over half (52%) said a recommendation from their doctor would be influential.
Dr. Sharon Inouye, a geriatrician at Hebrew Senior Life in Boston and a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, is among the physicians impatiently awaiting the publication of data from Pfizer’s and Moderna’s phase 3 clinical trials.
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Senior East Bay tenants’ battle: Cockroaches, water leaks, maintenance problems Advice | Letters: Keep rail | Tech’s limitations | Unworkable ballots | Moderate America | National issue | Driving fear Among the things she wants to know: How many older adults with chronic health conditions participated? How many participants were 75 and older? Did side effects differ for older adults?
“What I worry about most is the side effects,” she said. “We may not be able to know about serious but rare side effects until millions of people take them.”
But that’s a gamble she’s willing to take. Not only will Inouye get a vaccine, she just told her 91-year-old mother, who lives in assisted living, to say “yes” when one is offered.
“My whole family lives in fear that something will happen to her every day,” Inouye said. “Even though there’s a lot we still don’t know about these vaccines, it’s compelling that we protect people from this overwhelming illness.”
Kaiser Health News is a nonprofit news service covering health issues. It is an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation, which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.


mercurynews--2020-12-12--Paper apologizes for endorsing Rep. who backed election case

ORLANDO , Fla. — A Florida newspaper apologized Friday for endorsing the reelection of a Republican congressman who supported a lawsuit that tried to have the Supreme Court overthrow the will of the voters in the presidential election .
The Orlando Sentinel in an editorial said “ to its horror , ” U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz was one of 126 Republican representatives who supported a Texas lawsuit filed with the U.S. Supreme Court that wants to deprive President-elect Joe Biden of his victory in last month ’ s election and give a second term to President Donald Trump .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Sentinel ’ s editorial board had endorsed its local congressman ’ s successful bid for a second term .
“ We had no idea , had no way of knowing at the time , that Waltz was not committed to democracy , ” the paper wrote Friday .
Nine other Florida representatives also signed on to the lawsuit .
The lawsuit claimed Georgia , Pennsylvania , Michigan and Wisconsin ’ s voting laws created “ unconstitutional irregularities ” that have “ cast doubt ” on the 2020 outcome and “ the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” A majority of voters in the four states chose Biden , flipping their results from 2016 and giving him his margin of victory in Monday ’ s upcoming Electoral College vote .
Texas had wanted those results discarded .
The lawsuit rested on numerous unfounded claims that had been rejected in dozens of lawsuits , including by judges appointed by Trump .
Attorney General William Barr told The Associated Press last week there is no evidence of fraud that would have changed the election result .
“ During our endorsement interview with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t think to ask , ‘ Would you support an effort to throw out the votes of tens of millions of Americans in four states in order to overturn a presidential election and hand it to the person who lost , Donald Trump ? '
” the Sentinel wrote .
“ Our bad.
” It said such questions will be asked in the future , particularly of Republicans .
Waltz , the first Army Green Beret elected to Congress , told the Daytona Beach News Journal , “ For those who are saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ignoring them ( voting irregularities ) or sweeping them under the rug is bad for our democracy and restoring the confidence by working through these issues is what ’ s good for a democracy.
” The Sentinel replied : “ If Waltz was paying attention , he would understand those alleged irregularities haven ’ t been ignored by the courts , nor by the states , nor by the Department of Justice .
They simply haven ’ t stood up to scrutiny .
”

ORLANDO, Fla. — A Florida newspaper apologized Friday for endorsing the reelection of a Republican congressman who supported a lawsuit that tried to have the Supreme Court overthrow the will of the voters in the presidential election.
The Orlando Sentinel in an editorial said “to its horror,” U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz was one of 126 Republican representatives who supported a Texas lawsuit filed with the U.S. Supreme Court that wants to deprive President-elect Joe Biden of his victory in last month’s election and give a second term to President Donald Trump. The Supreme Court rejected the lawsuit Friday night.
The Sentinel’s editorial board had endorsed its local congressman’s successful bid for a second term.
“We had no idea, had no way of knowing at the time, that Waltz was not committed to democracy,” the paper wrote Friday. Nine other Florida representatives also signed on to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit claimed Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin’s voting laws created “unconstitutional irregularities” that have “cast doubt” on the 2020 outcome and “the integrity of the American system of elections.”
A majority of voters in the four states chose Biden, flipping their results from 2016 and giving him his margin of victory in Monday’s upcoming Electoral College vote. Texas had wanted those results discarded.
The lawsuit rested on numerous unfounded claims that had been rejected in dozens of lawsuits, including by judges appointed by Trump. Attorney General William Barr told The Associated Press last week there is no evidence of fraud that would have changed the election result.
“During our endorsement interview with the incumbent congressman, we didn’t think to ask, ‘Would you support an effort to throw out the votes of tens of millions of Americans in four states in order to overturn a presidential election and hand it to the person who lost, Donald Trump?'” the Sentinel wrote. “Our bad.”
It said such questions will be asked in the future, particularly of Republicans.
Waltz, the first Army Green Beret elected to Congress, told the Daytona Beach News Journal, “For those who are saying this is threatening democracy, I think ignoring them (voting irregularities) or sweeping them under the rug is bad for our democracy and restoring the confidence by working through these issues is what’s good for a democracy.”
The Sentinel replied: “If Waltz was paying attention, he would understand those alleged irregularities haven’t been ignored by the courts, nor by the states, nor by the Department of Justice. They simply haven’t stood up to scrutiny.”


mercurynews--2020-12-12--California certifies 2020 election results, marked by record turnout

More Californians voted in the 2020 presidential election than ever before amidst a global pandemic , economic upheaval and a presidential race unlike any other .
The Golden State on Friday certified the results of the Nov. 3 election , noting that both the total number of votes cast — 17,785,151 — and the number of registered voters — 22,047,448 — shattered previous state records .
Turnout of registered voters reached 80.67 % , the highest since 1976 , when Jimmy Carter defeated Gerald Ford .
And with slightly more than 25 million residents eligible to vote , turnout as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population reached 70.88 % , the highest since 1952 , when Dwight Eisenhower beat Adlai Stevenson .
In 2016 , when outgoing President Donald Trump was elected , turnout as a percentage of eligible voters was just shy of 59 % .
In 2008 , when former President Barack Obama won the election , it was just over 59 % .
President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris , won 63.5 % — more than 11 million votes — of the state ’ s presidential tally , while Trump picked up 34.3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In parts of the reliably blue Bay Area like San Francisco and Alameda counties , Biden won north of 80 % of the vote .
While California ’ s presidential results were never in doubt , 2020 did involve some very close races at the state and local levels .
In the 25th Congressional District in Los Angeles and Ventura counties , Republican Mike Garcia edged out Democrat Christy Smith by 333 votes — 169,638 to 169,305 .
Garcia ’ s victory is part of a trend this year that reverses gains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the party successfully flipped seven Republican seats in the House of Representatives .
This year , Republicans clawed four of them back .
While voting by mail has become increasingly popular in recent years , the COVID-19 pandemic among other factors prompted more Californians than ever to opt to drop their ballots in the mail rather than vote in person at a polling place .
According to Secretary of State Alex Padilla ’ s office , more than 15.4 million state residents voted by mail .
“ I am grateful to all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up during the COVID-19 pandemic — they helped maintain the resiliency of our democracy , ” Padilla said in a statement .
“ Voting may have looked different this year , but it was important to provide Californians safe and convenient opportunities to exercise their right to vote while protecting their health.
” Because of the pandemic , the state this year sent all active registered voters a ballot in addition to opening vote centers for those who preferred to cast their ballots more traditionally .
Already , there are calls in Sacramento @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the norm .
Some rural counties , like Alpine and Mariposa , rely entirely on mail voting .
“ This was an election unlike any other in modern American history , ” Padilla said in a video his office released with the certification announcement .
• Sealed ballot box found at Northern California college ; 529 ballots not included in certified election totals “ The overwhelming success of the general election proves the wisdom of California ’ s policies to increase access to the ballot , and should inform our continuing work to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he added .
Despite allegations by Trump and other top Republicans of mail voting being subject to widespread fraud , the election ran smoothly .
The 2020 election may be one of Padilla ’ s last major acts as California ’ s Secretary of State .
With Harris heading to the White House in January , the Golden State will have a vacant U.S. Senate seat .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom has not yet announced Harris ’ replacement , but Padilla has repeatedly surfaced as a top contender .
If appointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s first Latinx to serve in the Senate .

More Californians voted in the 2020 presidential election than ever before amidst a global pandemic, economic upheaval and a presidential race unlike any other.
The Golden State on Friday certified the results of the Nov. 3 election, noting that both the total number of votes cast — 17,785,151 — and the number of registered voters — 22,047,448 — shattered previous state records.
Turnout of registered voters reached 80.67%, the highest since 1976, when Jimmy Carter defeated Gerald Ford. And with slightly more than 25 million residents eligible to vote, turnout as a percentage of the eligible voting age population reached 70.88%, the highest since 1952, when Dwight Eisenhower beat Adlai Stevenson.
In 2016, when outgoing President Donald Trump was elected, turnout as a percentage of eligible voters was just shy of 59%. In 2008, when former President Barack Obama won the election, it was just over 59%.
President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, won 63.5% — more than 11 million votes — of the state’s presidential tally, while Trump picked up 34.3%, or roughly 6 million votes.
In parts of the reliably blue Bay Area like San Francisco and Alameda counties, Biden won north of 80% of the vote.
While California’s presidential results were never in doubt, 2020 did involve some very close races at the state and local levels. In the 25th Congressional District in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, Republican Mike Garcia edged out Democrat Christy Smith by 333 votes — 169,638 to 169,305.
Garcia’s victory is part of a trend this year that reverses gains made by Democrats in 2018, when the party successfully flipped seven Republican seats in the House of Representatives. This year, Republicans clawed four of them back.
While voting by mail has become increasingly popular in recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic among other factors prompted more Californians than ever to opt to drop their ballots in the mail rather than vote in person at a polling place. According to Secretary of State Alex Padilla’s office, more than 15.4 million state residents voted by mail.
“I am grateful to all the elections officials and poll workers who stepped up during the COVID-19 pandemic — they helped maintain the resiliency of our democracy,” Padilla said in a statement. “Voting may have looked different this year, but it was important to provide Californians safe and convenient opportunities to exercise their right to vote while protecting their health.”
Because of the pandemic, the state this year sent all active registered voters a ballot in addition to opening vote centers for those who preferred to cast their ballots more traditionally. Already, there are calls in Sacramento and beyond to make voting by mail the norm. Some rural counties, like Alpine and Mariposa, rely entirely on mail voting.
“This was an election unlike any other in modern American history,” Padilla said in a video his office released with the certification announcement.
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Despite allegations by Trump and other top Republicans of mail voting being subject to widespread fraud, the election ran smoothly.
The 2020 election may be one of Padilla’s last major acts as California’s Secretary of State. With Harris heading to the White House in January, the Golden State will have a vacant U.S. Senate seat. Gov. Gavin Newsom has not yet announced Harris’ replacement, but Padilla has repeatedly surfaced as a top contender. If appointed, he would be the California’s first Latinx to serve in the Senate.