mercurynews--2020-12-25--Takeaways: Warriors know where they stand after Christmas Day loss to Bucks

The first two games of the season marked a litmus test for these Warriors and , after falling 138-99 to the Bucks in Milwaukee Friday , it ’ s clear they have a long way to go before joining the class of the NBA .
Though rookie center James Wiseman ( 18 points , eight rebounds and three blocks ) and point guard Stephen Curry ( 19 points on 6-for-17 shooting , 2-for-10 from 3-point range , six assists and four rebounds in 29 minutes ) showed signs of a strong two-man game , they did not get much help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make 3-pointers and defend Milwaukee ’ s shooters .
Bucks forward Khris Middleton ( 31 points on 10-of-15 shooting , five assists , four rebounds ) helped power a 20-4 run between the third and fourth quarters that opened up a 35-point lead .
The Warriors ( 0-2 ) — who finished 10-of-45 from 3-point range — did not have the offensive firepower to get back into the game while the Bucks shot 54.1 % from beyond the arc .
Reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 15 points , 13 rebounds and four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nets ( 1-0 ) and Bucks ( 1-1 ) by a combined 65 points , the Warriors have a lot of work in front of them if they are to return to the playoffs in the Western Conference .
Getting Draymond Green ( foot ) back will help organize the offense and fortify the defense , but Golden State also needs better contributions from its wing tandem of Kelly Oubre Jr. and Andrew Wiggins .
Fortunately for them , the final two games of this four-game trip are not as daunting , starting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concluding Tuesday in Detroit .
• Kurtenbach : James Wiseman is the Warriors ’ future — he might need to be their present , too • K.C .
Jones dies at 88 ; cog in Boston Celtics dynasty first won at the University of San Francisco • Steph Curry passes Rick Barry , Wilt Chamberlain up next on Warriors ’ all-time scoring list • What it ’ s like playing alongside both Steph Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo Here are four takeaways from the Warriors ’ loss on Christmas Day .
Offensive problems : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steve Kerr was disappointed in the team ’ s lack of execution Friday .
On offense , players were not cutting with purpose or making timely reads , and struggled to find open shots .
“ It was kind of just scattered and disorganized , ” he said .
In particular , Oubre Jr. continued to struggle .
In his first two games with the Warriors , he has shot 4-of-24 overall and missed all 11 of his shots from beyond the arc .
As he grapples with developing timing with his new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and missing opportunities to make plays .
Perhaps the biggest indicator that the timing is off is the lack of open shots .
After two games , the Warriors are shooting 25.6 % from 3-point range .
Many have been contested , but some have been wide open , and those are the ones the Warriors need to make .
Kerr will continue to tinker with his rotations until he finds lineups that click .
On Friday , Kerr went to 3-point shooters Mychal Mulder and Damion Lee earlier in the game , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until the second half .
Sometimes , playing smaller shooters can come at the sacrifice of defense .
“ We ’ d like to get shooters on the floor , but we ’ ve got to do it with the right balance.
” Defensive problems : The Warriors defense has held opponents to less than 33 points in only two of eight quarters this season , and points are leaking from beyond the arc and in the paint .
They allowed the Nets and Bucks to make 48.6 % of their 3-point attempts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Defending the likes of Kevin Durant , Kyrie Irving and Antetokounmpo is understandably difficult , but the Warriors need to improve their communication to wipe away some of the opportunities for opposing role players .
“ We ’ re just throwing this thing together , ” Kerr said .
“ So it ’ s hard when you don ’ t have all five guys thinking alike and rotating and playing together.
” Getting on the same page will also help the team create more turnovers and points in transition — which was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this team .
However on Friday , they scored just 10 points off turnovers .
Wiseman shows promise : With most of the Warriors struggling , Wiseman was the team ’ s most productive player in the first half .
Teammates were using his screens almost every time down the floor , and he was rolling and finishing at the rim and even popped out for a few 3-pointers ( 3-of-4 in the game ) .
Kerr called plays for Wiseman to screen for Curry often but , as he said after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ namely , Oubre Jr. and Wiggins — to step up in the same way .
“ You could see the impact that it made you know James gets going down hill , ” Kerr said .
“ It ’ s good stuff , but it ’ s also exhausting .
And so to do that for 48 minutes is not possible .
What we need is a better balance.
” Kerr added that Wiseman will see more and more minutes as his conditioning improves .
Wiseman , 19 , also needs to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offense , communicating on defense and playing at the right pace ( not too fast , not too slow ) .
Draymond Green injury update : Green , who accompanied the Warriors on this four-game trip , has been a full participant during practices and is helping coach from the sidelines during games .
His return will help the Warriors , but it won ’ t solve all of their early problems .
“ We played two really good teams who have shared championship aspirations — and realistically — and so we got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we need to get to , ” Curry said .
“ We ’ re just not anywhere close to that .
So , hopefully he ’ ll give us a boost .
It ’ s not going to be a cure-all .
”

The first two games of the season marked a litmus test for these Warriors and, after falling 138-99 to the Bucks in Milwaukee Friday, it’s clear they have a long way to go before joining the class of the NBA.
Though rookie center James Wiseman (18 points, eight rebounds and three blocks) and point guard Stephen Curry (19 points on 6-for-17 shooting, 2-for-10 from 3-point range, six assists and four rebounds in 29 minutes) showed signs of a strong two-man game, they did not get much help from a supporting cast that struggled to make 3-pointers and defend Milwaukee’s shooters.
Bucks forward Khris Middleton (31 points on 10-of-15 shooting, five assists, four rebounds) helped power a 20-4 run between the third and fourth quarters that opened up a 35-point lead. The Warriors (0-2) — who finished 10-of-45 from 3-point range — did not have the offensive firepower to get back into the game while the Bucks shot 54.1% from beyond the arc. Reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 15 points, 13 rebounds and four assists before sitting
Having lost to the Nets (1-0) and Bucks (1-1) by a combined 65 points, the Warriors have a lot of work in front of them if they are to return to the playoffs in the Western Conference.
Getting Draymond Green (foot) back will help organize the offense and fortify the defense, but Golden State also needs better contributions from its wing tandem of Kelly Oubre Jr. and Andrew Wiggins. Fortunately for them, the final two games of this four-game trip are not as daunting, starting with the Bulls Sunday in Chicago and concluding Tuesday in Detroit. Related Articles Golden State Warriors | Here’s the Warriors’ schedule for NBA’s inaugural in-season tournament
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Here are four takeaways from the Warriors’ loss on Christmas Day.
Offensive problems: After two smooth days of practice, Steve Kerr was disappointed in the team’s lack of execution Friday. On offense, players were not cutting with purpose or making timely reads, and struggled to find open shots. “It was kind of just scattered and disorganized,” he said.
In particular, Oubre Jr. continued to struggle. In his first two games with the Warriors, he has shot 4-of-24 overall and missed all 11 of his shots from beyond the arc. As he grapples with developing timing with his new teammates, he’s forcing shots and missing opportunities to make plays.
Steph Curry and Steve Kerr’s reactions to Kelly Oubre shooting while surrounded by 3 defenders. pic.twitter.com/wLRxlYfBqX — Mike Vigil (@protectedpick) December 25, 2020
Perhaps the biggest indicator that the timing is off is the lack of open shots. After two games, the Warriors are shooting 25.6% from 3-point range. Many have been contested, but some have been wide open, and those are the ones the Warriors need to make. Kerr will continue to tinker with his rotations until he finds lineups that click.
On Friday, Kerr went to 3-point shooters Mychal Mulder and Damion Lee earlier in the game, while Kent Bazemore did not check in until the second half. Sometimes, playing smaller shooters can come at the sacrifice of defense. “We’d like to get shooters on the floor, but we’ve got to do it with the right balance.”
Defensive problems: The Warriors defense has held opponents to less than 33 points in only two of eight quarters this season, and points are leaking from beyond the arc and in the paint. They allowed the Nets and Bucks to make 48.6% of their 3-point attempts and score 96 points in the paint. Defending the likes of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Antetokounmpo is understandably difficult, but the Warriors need to improve their communication to wipe away some of the opportunities for opposing role players.
“We’re just throwing this thing together,” Kerr said. “So it’s hard when you don’t have all five guys thinking alike and rotating and playing together.”
Getting on the same page will also help the team create more turnovers and points in transition — which was supposed to be a fundamental part of this team. However on Friday, they scored just 10 points off turnovers.
Wiseman shows promise: With most of the Warriors struggling, Wiseman was the team’s most productive player in the first half. Teammates were using his screens almost every time down the floor, and he was rolling and finishing at the rim and even popped out for a few 3-pointers (3-of-4 in the game). Kerr called plays for Wiseman to screen for Curry often but, as he said after the game, he needs other players — namely, Oubre Jr. and Wiggins — to step up in the same way.
“You could see the impact that it made you know James gets going down hill,” Kerr said. “It’s good stuff, but it’s also exhausting. And so to do that for 48 minutes is not possible. What we need is a better balance.”
Kerr added that Wiseman will see more and more minutes as his conditioning improves. Wiseman, 19, also needs to work on recognizing what opponents are doing on offense, communicating on defense and playing at the right pace (not too fast, not too slow).
James Wiseman in his 2nd game 18 pts
8 rebs
3-4 from 3
3 blks pic.twitter.com/CwGLEWrF82 — Chris Montano (@gswchris) December 25, 2020
Draymond Green injury update: Green, who accompanied the Warriors on this four-game trip, has been a full participant during practices and is helping coach from the sidelines during games. His return will help the Warriors, but it won’t solve all of their early problems.
“We played two really good teams who have shared championship aspirations — and realistically — and so we got to understand that’s the level that we need to get to,” Curry said. “We’re just not anywhere close to that. So, hopefully he’ll give us a boost. It’s not going to be a cure-all.”


mercurynews--2020-12-25--‘A different Christmas’ around the Bay Area during the pandemic’s darkest hour

Christmas Day in the Bay Area has never looked like this .
Airports and most churches were eerily empty , while iPads roamed the halls of crowded hospital wards to connect distant families with loved ones fighting the deadly coronavirus .
A carillon rang out in downtown San Jose as the homeless picked up gift baskets , and a double rainbow brightened the sky in San Francisco where a mysterious gingerbread monolith rose overnight atop a scenic hilltop park .
But all over , to stay safe from the pandemic , people spent the Christmas of 2020 alone .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it sucks , ” said Danielle Hartzell , 46 , one of millions of Bay Area residents — whether directly impacted by COVID-19 or not — mustering through a completely different Christmas this year .
Ever since graduating college , the Berkeley woman has flown home to Ohio to hang out with her sisters , niece and nephew , wrapping presents late into the night and digging into the spaghetti-and-meatballs recipe passed down from her Sicilian grandparents .
She held out hope until the last minute , buying a plane ticket in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks with her family .
But like so many Americans longing to be together , they all concluded it was a terrible idea — leaving Hartzell alone in her one-bedroom apartment for the first time in almost 25 years , making the rounds on FaceTime and whipping up a pecan pie in an attempt to feel festive .
“ At this point , I really hope that those of us who chose to stay home for the greater good — that it makes a difference , ” she said .
“ I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be honest.
” The pandemic in California has fallen to its darkest point yet .
In the past six weeks alone , statewide infections exploded from 1 to 2 million cases , according to data compiled by this news organization , while almost 6,000 more people perished from the virus — marking a total of nearly 24,000 deaths going into the new year .
Statewide , there were 19,771 people hospitalized with the virus as of Wednesday , according to the California Department of Public Health .
Southern California and San Joaquin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity , while the Bay Area ’ s capacity is down to 9.8 % from 13.5 % at the start of the week .
Despite those overwhelming circumstances , the nurses and doctors and hospital staff were among those looking for creative ways to celebrate .
Normally this time of year , the Kaiser Permanente San Jose hospital would be swarming with Christmas carolers , family visitors and room decorations to keep patients ’ spirits up , said Shanthi Margoschis , chief nursing executive .
But with the pandemic forcing much of that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead handing out holiday onesies for new babies , making individualized cards for every patient and arranging FaceTimes with families .
ICU patients got baggies of puzzles , light-up pens and miniature Christmas trees ; even if they were too sick to enjoy them now , Margoschis said , the bits of cheer will be waiting for them .
Patients separated from their loved ones — especially on the holidays — has proven to be one of the most painful aspects of the pandemic , said Dr .
Sang Lee , who works @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center .
As a cardiothoracic surgeon , he ’ s responsible for deciding whether extremely sick COVID-19 patients should be placed on a heart-lung machine .
Early on , doctors and nurses used their own cell phones to connect families and patients who were too ill to respond .
Now the hospital has iPads set up on rolling stations in front of beds , which were in full use Christmas Day .
“ I really believe that there ’ s a presence of loved ones felt by patients who are even steeply sedated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that physical connection , he said , is “ always hard .
When we deal with loved ones , whether it ’ s the holidays , maybe it ’ s a little more accentuated , but it ’ s always hard.
” Still , glimmers of whimsy still broke through elsewhere in the Bay .
The nonprofit GLIDE in San Francisco kept up its tradition of serving prime rib to hungry folks — sans volunteers to minimize the risk of infection — while its annual toy drive actually reached more families than last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city ’ s Corona Heights Park , a mystery baker left an eight-foot-tall gingerbread house on Christmas morning , prompting onlookers to judge its architectural integrity , sometimes stealing a taste .
“ It ’ s real , ” said one passerby , licking frosting off his finger .
Then , noticing children around , he added , “ But it tastes horrible.
” Of course , to the chagrin of public health officials , some people ’ s Christmases won ’ t look much different at all this year .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city ’ s Willow Glen neighborhood went ahead with its usual indoor service on Christmas Eve .
And others chose to travel , albeit fewer than usual : San Jose International Airport ’ s passenger traffic is down about 80 % compared to last year , a spokesperson said , while San Francisco International has reported similar numbers , meaning that thousands are still making their way in and out of the state .
Those who stuck it out at home or riding out the day in the hospital hope that others will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing .
“ That ’ s the best Christmas gift , ” Margoschis said , “ anybody can give this season .
”

Christmas Day in the Bay Area has never looked like this.
Airports and most churches were eerily empty, while iPads roamed the halls of crowded hospital wards to connect distant families with loved ones fighting the deadly coronavirus. A carillon rang out in downtown San Jose as the homeless picked up gift baskets, and a double rainbow brightened the sky in San Francisco where a mysterious gingerbread monolith rose overnight atop a scenic hilltop park.
But all over, to stay safe from the pandemic, people spent the Christmas of 2020 alone.
“What can you say? You know, it sucks,” said Danielle Hartzell, 46, one of millions of Bay Area residents — whether directly impacted by COVID-19 or not — mustering through a completely different Christmas this year.
Ever since graduating college, the Berkeley woman has flown home to Ohio to hang out with her sisters, niece and nephew, wrapping presents late into the night and digging into the spaghetti-and-meatballs recipe passed down from her Sicilian grandparents.
She held out hope until the last minute, buying a plane ticket in August and mulling over the decision for weeks with her family. But like so many Americans longing to be together, they all concluded it was a terrible idea — leaving Hartzell alone in her one-bedroom apartment for the first time in almost 25 years, making the rounds on FaceTime and whipping up a pecan pie in an attempt to feel festive.
“At this point, I really hope that those of us who chose to stay home for the greater good — that it makes a difference,” she said. “I don’t know that it will, to be honest.”
The pandemic in California has fallen to its darkest point yet. In the past six weeks alone, statewide infections exploded from 1 to 2 million cases, according to data compiled by this news organization, while almost 6,000 more people perished from the virus — marking a total of nearly 24,000 deaths going into the new year.
Statewide, there were 19,771 people hospitalized with the virus as of Wednesday, according to the California Department of Public Health. Southern California and San Joaquin Valley have 0% intensive-care unit bed capacity, while the Bay Area’s capacity is down to 9.8% from 13.5% at the start of the week.
Despite those overwhelming circumstances, the nurses and doctors and hospital staff were among those looking for creative ways to celebrate. Normally this time of year, the Kaiser Permanente San Jose hospital would be swarming with Christmas carolers, family visitors and room decorations to keep patients’ spirits up, said Shanthi Margoschis, chief nursing executive.
But with the pandemic forcing much of that away, the Christmas Day crew were instead handing out holiday onesies for new babies, making individualized cards for every patient and arranging FaceTimes with families. ICU patients got baggies of puzzles, light-up pens and miniature Christmas trees; even if they were too sick to enjoy them now, Margoschis said, the bits of cheer will be waiting for them.
“It’s a different Christmas,” Margoschis said.
Patients separated from their loved ones — especially on the holidays — has proven to be one of the most painful aspects of the pandemic, said Dr. Sang Lee, who works at San Jose’s Regional Medical Center. As a cardiothoracic surgeon, he’s responsible for deciding whether extremely sick COVID-19 patients should be placed on a heart-lung machine.
Early on, doctors and nurses used their own cell phones to connect families and patients who were too ill to respond. Now the hospital has iPads set up on rolling stations in front of beds, which were in full use Christmas Day.
“I really believe that there’s a presence of loved ones felt by patients who are even steeply sedated,” Lee said. Not having that physical connection, he said, is “always hard. When we deal with loved ones, whether it’s the holidays, maybe it’s a little more accentuated, but it’s always hard.”
Still, glimmers of whimsy still broke through elsewhere in the Bay. The nonprofit GLIDE in San Francisco kept up its tradition of serving prime rib to hungry folks — sans volunteers to minimize the risk of infection — while its annual toy drive actually reached more families than last year with individualized bags. And atop the city’s Corona Heights Park, a mystery baker left an eight-foot-tall gingerbread house on Christmas morning, prompting onlookers to judge its architectural integrity, sometimes stealing a taste.
“It’s real,” said one passerby, licking frosting off his finger. Then, noticing children around, he added, “But it tastes horrible.”
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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 Of course, to the chagrin of public health officials, some people’s Christmases won’t look much different at all this year. In San Jose, Calvary Chapel in the city’s Willow Glen neighborhood went ahead with its usual indoor service on Christmas Eve. And others chose to travel, albeit fewer than usual: San Jose International Airport’s passenger traffic is down about 80% compared to last year, a spokesperson said, while San Francisco International has reported similar numbers, meaning that thousands are still making their way in and out of the state.
Those who stuck it out at home or riding out the day in the hospital hope that others will heed scientists as they beg for social distancing.
“That’s the best Christmas gift,” Margoschis said, “anybody can give this season.”
Staff photographer Karl Mondon contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-12-25--Still waiting for the Christmas gift? Might be due to ‘unprecedented’ mail delays

SAN RAMON , Calif. ( AP ) — Some who mailed holiday presents weeks early this year found they didn ’ t act early enough as Christmas arrived with their gifts stuck in transit .
The U.S .
Postal Service said on its website that it was “ experiencing unprecedented volume increases and limited employee availability due to the impacts of COVID-19.
” Austin Race of Grand Rapids , Michigan , placed an online order Nov. 30 for a collector ’ s model die-cast of a NASCAR racing car .
It hadn ’ t reached his father after the Postal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even though he was notified Dec. 8 that it was shipped by two-day priority mail .
His gift was in Opa-locka , Florida , the last time he checked the tracking number , about 750 miles ( 1,200 kilometers ) south of where he ordered it in Mooresville , North Carolina .
Race , 21 , resigned himself to telling his father he will have to wait a little longer for his gift .
“ I do understand the situation , but it ’ s still kind of frustrating , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online Nov. 17 for her 10-year-old son ’ s soccer coach and her son ’ s friend .
She figured it was ample time to arrive from a store about 80 miles ( 128 kilometers ) from her home in Ann Arbor , Michigan .
All appeared well Dec. 11 when she received a notice from the Postal Service that the ornaments had been received in Columbus , Ohio .
But then the package made a journey through distribution centers in Warrendale , Pennsylvania , Grand Rapids , Michigan , and Lansing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Detroit .
On Wednesday , she received another notice that delivery would be later than initially anticipated .
Her son was angry but Goldstein is taking it in stride .
“ I was frustrated last week thinking , ‘ C ’ mon , get here , ’ but now I am just sort of laughing it off , ” she said .
She told her son the ornaments will hang on the tree next year and they will have a story to tell about the long journey they took during the pandemic .

By MICHAEL LIEDTKE | The Associated Press
SAN RAMON — Some who mailed holiday presents weeks early this year found they didn’t act early enough as Christmas arrived with their gifts stuck in transit.
The U.S. Postal Service said on its website that it was “experiencing unprecedented volume increases and limited employee availability due to the impacts of COVID-19.”
Austin Race of Grand Rapids, Michigan, placed an online order Nov. 30 for a collector’s model die-cast of a NASCAR racing car. It hadn’t reached his father after the Postal Service passed through his neighborhood Thursday night, even though he was notified Dec. 8 that it was shipped by two-day priority mail.
His gift was in Opa-locka, Florida, the last time he checked the tracking number, about 750 miles (1,200 kilometers) south of where he ordered it in Mooresville, North Carolina. Race, 21, resigned himself to telling his father he will have to wait a little longer for his gift.
“I do understand the situation, but it’s still kind of frustrating,” he said.
Joanna Goldstein ordered Christmas ornaments online Nov. 17 for her 10-year-old son’s soccer coach and her son’s friend. She figured it was ample time to arrive from a store about 80 miles (128 kilometers) from her home in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
All appeared well Dec. 11 when she received a notice from the Postal Service that the ornaments had been received in Columbus, Ohio.
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On Wednesday, she received another notice that delivery would be later than initially anticipated. Her son was angry but Goldstein is taking it in stride.
“I was frustrated last week thinking, ‘C’mon, get here,’ but now I am just sort of laughing it off,” she said.
She told her son the ornaments will hang on the tree next year and they will have a story to tell about the long journey they took during the pandemic.


mercurynews--2020-12-25--K.C. Jones dies at 88; cog in Boston Celtics dynasty first won at the University of San Francisco

BOSTON — Basketball Hall of Famer K.C .
Jones , whose history of championships began with the University of San Francisco teams of the mid-1950s , has died .
He was 88 .
Jones ’ family confirmed Friday that he died at an assisted living facility in Connecticut , where he had been receiving care for Alzheimer ’ s disease for the past several years .
Born May 25 , 1932 , in Tyler , Texas , Jones grew up in San Francisco .
He starred at Commerce High School in The City and then joined Oakland ’ s Bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to back-to-back NCAA championships in 1955-56 .
Jones ’ jersey hangs in the rafters at War Memorial Gym , where the Dons play .
Jones and Russell also played on the U.S. team that won the Olympic gold medal at the 1956 Games in Melbourne .
Jones then won eight NBA championships as a Celtics player in the 1960s and two more as the coach of the Boston teams that took the title in 1984 and ‘ 86 .
A second-round draft choice by the Celtics , Jones reunited with Russell to win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He retired in 1967 and began coaching , first in college at Brandeis and Harvard before joining the Los Angeles Lakers as an assistant , in 1971-72 , where he earned another championship ring .
He was an assistant coach on the Celtics team that won it all in 1981 before guiding the team led by Larry Bird , Kevin McHale and Robert Parish to the 1984 and ‘ 86 championships .
• Kurtenbach : James Wiseman is the Warriors ’ future — he might need to be their present , too • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Christmas Day loss to Bucks • Steph Curry passes Rick Barry , Wilt Chamberlain up next on Warriors ’ all-time scoring list • What it ’ s like playing alongside both Steph Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo

BOSTON — Basketball Hall of Famer K.C. Jones, whose history of championships began with the University of San Francisco teams of the mid-1950s, has died. He was 88.
Jones’ family confirmed Friday that he died at an assisted living facility in Connecticut, where he had been receiving care for Alzheimer’s disease for the past several years.
Born May 25, 1932, in Tyler, Texas, Jones grew up in San Francisco. He starred at Commerce High School in The City and then joined Oakland’s Bill Russell at USF to lead the Dons to back-to-back NCAA championships in 1955-56. Jones’ jersey hangs in the rafters at War Memorial Gym, where the Dons play.
Jones and Russell also played on the U.S. team that won the Olympic gold medal at the 1956 Games in Melbourne.
Jones then won eight NBA championships as a Celtics player in the 1960s and two more as the coach of the Boston teams that took the title in 1984 and ‘86.
A second-round draft choice by the Celtics, Jones reunited with Russell to win eight straight NBA titles from 1959-66. He retired in 1967 and began coaching, first in college at Brandeis and Harvard before joining the Los Angeles Lakers as an assistant, in 1971-72, where he earned another championship ring.
He was an assistant coach on the Celtics team that won it all in 1981 before guiding the team led by Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish to the 1984 and ‘86 championships.


mercurynews--2020-12-26--Fish Rap: Bay Area commercial Dungeness crab fishermen idle during negotiations

Monterey Bay anglers enjoyed mild conditions this week , conducive to surfcasting from the beaches as well as fishing offshore .
The coming weekend forecast calls for relatively low winds over a fairly large northwest swell .
Saturday waves are predicted to be 9-11 feet inside the bay , dropping to 7-9 feet on Sunday .
The swell , along with a chance of rain could make pulling crab pots a bit dicey .
Remember safety first , wear your PFD .
The succession of northwest swells over the past few weeks has moved tons of sand down the coast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has continuous dredging operations keeping the harbor entrance clear for transiting boat traffic .
On Tuesday , the entrance soundings showed a 20-foot deep channel at the harbor entrance with one high spot about 14 feet deep .
Chris Arcoleo from Chris ’ Fishing Trips in Monterey reported in response to latest COVID restrictions : “ We are open and running trips through the New Year .
We must maintain six feet distancing and everyone must wear a mask.
” Chris ’ will be running Dungeness crab/rockfish combo trips through Dec. 31 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jan. 1 through March 31 .
Arcoleo is confident they will resume rockfish trips on April 1 .
Hopefully king salmon season will open about that same time , but the California Department of Fish and Wildlife has yet to announce a salmon season opener date .
Commercial Dungeness crab season is now legally open , but most if not all the commercial boats remain tied to the docks .
Santa Cruz crabber Khevin Mellegers said that the major wholesale crab buyer is offering too low a price per pound for the commercial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a show of unity , crab boats down the coast to Monterey are not fishing yet as negotiations continue .
“ It ’ s a low price for crab , and a high price for bait plus a potential low biomass of crab this year that is affecting the industry as a whole .
We hope to get out there soon , especially the live crab sellers like we have in Santa Cruz.
” • Are sea otters taking a bite out of California ’ s Dungeness crab season ?
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we move into winter .
Surfcasting for perch was strange this week .
Perch were hard to find , but the ones caught here and there are big .
Scott Werner from Santa Cruz pulled in a 16.5-inch slab from one of the beaches north of Moss Landing on Wednesday .
Werner reported , “ I didn ’ t get a chance to weigh it , but it had to be two or two and a half pounds !
” Others have reported similar “ single-o ” catches from the beaches near Sand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bushnell also operates Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing and Surfcasting Guide Service .
Please send any reports , pictures or questions to scruzfishing @ yahoo.com .

Monterey Bay anglers enjoyed mild conditions this week, conducive to surfcasting from the beaches as well as fishing offshore. The coming weekend forecast calls for relatively low winds over a fairly large northwest swell. Saturday waves are predicted to be 9-11 feet inside the bay, dropping to 7-9 feet on Sunday.
The swell, along with a chance of rain could make pulling crab pots a bit dicey. Remember safety first, wear your PFD. The succession of northwest swells over the past few weeks has moved tons of sand down the coast. The Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor has continuous dredging operations keeping the harbor entrance clear for transiting boat traffic. On Tuesday, the entrance soundings showed a 20-foot deep channel at the harbor entrance with one high spot about 14 feet deep.
Chris Arcoleo from Chris’ Fishing Trips in Monterey reported in response to latest COVID restrictions: “We are open and running trips through the New Year. We must maintain six feet distancing and everyone must wear a mask.” Chris’ will be running Dungeness crab/rockfish combo trips through Dec. 31, then transitioning to Dungeness/sand dab trips from Jan. 1 through March 31. Arcoleo is confident they will resume rockfish trips on April 1. Hopefully king salmon season will open about that same time, but the California Department of Fish and Wildlife has yet to announce a salmon season opener date.
Commercial Dungeness crab season is now legally open, but most if not all the commercial boats remain tied to the docks. Santa Cruz crabber Khevin Mellegers said that the major wholesale crab buyer is offering too low a price per pound for the commercial crabbers in Northern California and Southern Oregon. In a show of unity, crab boats down the coast to Monterey are not fishing yet as negotiations continue. “It’s a low price for crab, and a high price for bait plus a potential low biomass of crab this year that is affecting the industry as a whole. We hope to get out there soon, especially the live crab sellers like we have in Santa Cruz.”
As expected, rockfishing is getting slower as we move into winter. Surfcasting for perch was strange this week. Perch were hard to find, but the ones caught here and there are big. Scott Werner from Santa Cruz pulled in a 16.5-inch slab from one of the beaches north of Moss Landing on Wednesday. Werner reported, “I didn’t get a chance to weigh it, but it had to be two or two and a half pounds!” Others have reported similar “single-o” catches from the beaches near Sand City, Pajaro and Manresa.
Allen Bushnell also operates Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing and Surfcasting Guide Service. Please send any reports, pictures or questions to scruzfishing@yahoo.com.


mercurynews--2020-12-26--Los Angeles County taps labs to probe for variant coronavirus strain

As demand for precious hospital space continued to rise on Friday , Dec. 25 , Los Angeles county public health officials were asking testing labs to look for a variant of COVID-19 — reported in the United Kingdom — that appears to be more transmissible than other strains .
In a memo issued Thursday , public health officials asked that laboratories help with “ surveillance to detect the variant strain and to report any occurrence ” of it to them .
This strain is believed to be potentially more transmissible than others that have been circulating , but there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severe illness or greater risk of death , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
The county memo , issued to healthcare providers , came as Los Angeles county experiences a record-breaking surge that on Thursday resulted in a report that 148 people who tested positive for COVID-19 died in a single day .
While holidays such as Thanksgiving — during which families and friends typically gather — may be contributing to the high numbers , public health officials in Los Angeles county have also been perplexed by the intensity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The surge appears to be continuing into the Christmas holiday , during which large numbers of people have flocked to outdoor malls to shop .
Some also turned out to attend indoor religious services , but in much smaller numbers than in previous years .
Meanwhile , public officials have been trying to learn more about the variant strain found in the United Kingdom that has been especially prevalent in London and in the southeast .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued an advisory saying that this “ variant strain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rapidly transmissible than other circulating strains of SARS-CoV-2 , ” although there is no evidence this strain will cause more severe illness or greater risk of death .
Public health officials also say there is no evidence at this time that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines now being administered against the virus would be less effective against this variant .
Due to a Spectrum communications service outage , county public health officials said Friday that they were unable to report the daily numbers for COVID-19 cases and deaths .
Instead , that information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily report .
Although there were no numbers reported by the county , state data on hospitalizations again showed and increase .
The state reported that 6,770 people are hospitalized , with 1,335 of them in the Intensive Care Unit .
That is up by 62 from the previous numbers of 6,708 people in hospitals , with 1,329 of them in the ICU .
In total , by Christmas Eve , Public Health officials had identified 677,299 positive cases of COVID-19 across all of L.A. County , with a total of 9,299 deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public officials have also warned of the crisis reaching a more dire stage , in which overwhelmed hospitals that are already often a capacity may no longer be able to provide full care to all of their patients .
Planning for rationing care , which involves deciding which patients to provide care to over others , is already underway , public officials have said .
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti also warned of this possibility that care will need to be rationed , in his briefing on Wednesday , ahead of the Christmas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread this virus , if we see a linear growth of this for the next two weeks , we will not have enough medical staff to treat everyone at hospitals may soon be in the position of having to ration care , ” he said .
“ That means the doctors will be forced to determine who lives and who dies , and more Angelenos will lose their lives , not just the COVID-19 , but to call emergencies .
”

As demand for precious hospital space continued to rise on Friday, Dec. 25, Los Angeles county public health officials were asking testing labs to look for a variant of COVID-19 — reported in the United Kingdom — that appears to be more transmissible than other strains.
In a memo issued Thursday, public health officials asked that laboratories help with “surveillance to detect the variant strain and to report any occurrence” of it to them.
This strain is believed to be potentially more transmissible than others that have been circulating, but there is no evidence that it results in more severe illness or greater risk of death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The county memo, issued to healthcare providers, came as Los Angeles county experiences a record-breaking surge that on Thursday resulted in a report that 148 people who tested positive for COVID-19 died in a single day.
While holidays such as Thanksgiving — during which families and friends typically gather — may be contributing to the high numbers, public health officials in Los Angeles county have also been perplexed by the intensity of the latest surge in cases.
The surge appears to be continuing into the Christmas holiday, during which large numbers of people have flocked to outdoor malls to shop. Some also turned out to attend indoor religious services, but in much smaller numbers than in previous years.
Meanwhile, public officials have been trying to learn more about the variant strain found in the United Kingdom that has been especially prevalent in London and in the southeast.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued an advisory saying that this “variant strain has been predicted to potentially be more rapidly transmissible than other circulating strains of SARS-CoV-2,” although there is no evidence this strain will cause more severe illness or greater risk of death.
Public health officials also say there is no evidence at this time that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines now being administered against the virus would be less effective against this variant.
Due to a Spectrum communications service outage, county public health officials said Friday that they were unable to report the daily numbers for COVID-19 cases and deaths. Instead, that information will be included in Saturday’s daily report.
Although there were no numbers reported by the county, state data on hospitalizations again showed and increase. The state reported that 6,770 people are hospitalized, with 1,335 of them in the Intensive Care Unit. That is up by 62 from the previous numbers of 6,708 people in hospitals, with 1,329 of them in the ICU.
In total, by Christmas Eve, Public Health officials had identified 677,299 positive cases of COVID-19 across all of L.A. County, with a total of 9,299 deaths.
With the rising hospitalization numbers, public officials have also warned of the crisis reaching a more dire stage, in which overwhelmed hospitals that are already often a capacity may no longer be able to provide full care to all of their patients.
Planning for rationing care, which involves deciding which patients to provide care to over others, is already underway, public officials have said.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti also warned of this possibility that care will need to be rationed, in his briefing on Wednesday, ahead of the Christmas holiday.
“If we continue to spread this virus, if we see a linear growth of this for the next two weeks, we will not have enough medical staff to treat everyone at hospitals may soon be in the position of having to ration care,” he said. “That means the doctors will be forced to determine who lives and who dies, and more Angelenos will lose their lives, not just the COVID-19, but to call emergencies.”


mercurynews--2020-12-26--Top 10 real estate predictions: More rate drops in store for 2021

Bet on real estate in the year ahead , which repeats what I said for 2020 .
Rates are going to stay low .
Demand is going to stay high .
And President-elect Joe Biden will offer a tax credit for first-time homebuyers .
Here are my 2021 predictions : • The new strain of COVID-19 is going to make the economy worse in the near-term .
Lower rates ahead .
Locally , the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage ( up to $ 548,250 ) will drop below 1 % .
We ’ re not too far away .
The national average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 , to a record low of 2.19 % .
Well-qualified borrowers can get a rate of 1.75 % with less than 2 points .
• Locally , the 30-year fixed will drop below 1.5 % with points .
Currently , we ’ re in the very-low 2 ’ s with points , and the national average fell Thursday to a record low of 2.66 % .
• Locally , the 30-year jumbo fixed-rate ( over $ 822,375 in Los Angeles and Orange counties and over $ 548,250 in the Inland Empire ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Today you can get 2.75 % .
The 43 % debt-to-income restriction for jumbos is going away .
( Just about every mortgage lender in America will chase the big loans .
More jumbo volume means more income for the same work since the dollars paid are based on loan size . )
• The Freddie Mac 30-year fixed-rate will average 2.65 % , vs. a 2020 average of 3.12 % .
Freddie ’ s average rate has been below 3 % since July .
• Average Freddie Mac mortgage rates will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2021 as COVID-19 subsides and things start getting more normal .
Get your mortgage business done before then .
Rates will never be this low again .
• California ’ s eviction and foreclosure moratoriums will be extended through the third quarter of 2021 .
It will be lifted Oct. 1 , and long lines will form at the courthouse .
• Southern California home sales will be flat compared with 2020 .
• Congress and President-elect Biden will approve a first-time homebuyer tax credit of at least $ 10,000 .
So how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s my score for 2020 .
• “ The Freddie Mac 30-year fixed will average 3.4 % .
” It actually averaged 3.12 % , 28 basis points lower .
COVID-19 .
Who knew ?
Wrong .
• “ At some point in 2020 , you ’ ll be able to capture a 30-year fixed at 2.875 % without points.
” No-point loans were as low as 2.625 % in 2020 .
Correct .
• “ The median home price for Los Angeles , Orange , Riverside and San Bernardino counties will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of November , median home prices were up 9 % , according to Attom Data .
Close enough .
Correct .
• “ Southern California home sales volume will fall 8 % from 2019.
” Sales volume was down 3.9 % , according to Attom .
Wrong .
• “ The Federal Reserve will not touch short-term rates.
” The prime rate dropped from 4.75 % to 4.25 % on March 4 .
On March 16 it dropped again to 3.25 % .
Wrong .
• “ Congress or President Trump will mandate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Freddie Mac debt before they are released from conservatorship.
” Never happened .
F & F are going to be in the federal coffers for a long , long time .
Wrong .
• “ California and the rest of the country will enjoy a repeal of the $ 10,000 so-called SALT cap ( federal tax deductions for state and local taxes ) .
” Alas , wrong .
• “ Fog the mirror loans ( qualify on just a credit score of 680 or better ) will be reduced to as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were at 25 % down for investor properties.
” You can do them at 20 % down this year according to one of my non-QM lending sources .
Correct .
• “ One out of every four mortgages will be arranged by a mortgage broker.
” The low was 7 % in 2011 .
In 2020 , mortgage brokers arranged 22 % of all mortgages , according to the National Association of Mortgage Brokers .
Close enough .
Correct .
• “ Refinance volume will be 50 % more than in 2019.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Attom Data Solutions ( measured by Q1 through Q3 for both years ) .
My estimate was too low .
Wrong .
Freddie Mac rate news : The 30-year fixed-rate averaged 2.66 % , the 16th record low of the year , and 1 basis point lower than last week .
The 15-year fixed-rate averaged 2.19 % , also a record low for the 10th time this year , and down 2 basis points from last week .
The Mortgage Bankers Association reported a 1 % increase in loan application volume from one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a borrower gets the average 30-year fixed rate on a conforming $ 548,250 loan , last year ’ s payment was an astronomical $ 324 more than this week ’ s payment of $ 2,212 .
What I see : Locally , well-qualified borrowers can get the following fixed-rate mortgages with 1 point : A 30-year FHA at 2.25 % , a 15-year conventional at 1.99 % , a 30-year conventional at 2.375 % , a 15-year conventional high-balance ( $ 548,251 to $ 822,375 ) at 2.125 % , a 30-year conventional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30-year fixed at 2.75 % .
Eye catcher loan of the week : A 15-year fixed at 1.75 % with 1.99 points .
Jeff Lazerson is a mortgage broker .
He can be reached at 949-334-2424 or jlazerson @ mortgagegrader.com .
His website is www.mortgagegrader.com .

What’s in store for 2021?
Bet on real estate in the year ahead, which repeats what I said for 2020.
Rates are going to stay low. Demand is going to stay high. And President-elect Joe Biden will offer a tax credit for first-time homebuyers.
Here are my 2021 predictions:
The new strain of COVID-19 is going to make the economy worse in the near-term. Lower rates ahead. Locally, the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage (up to $548,250) will drop below 1%. We’re not too far away. The national average for the 15-year fell Thursday, Dec. 24, to a record low of 2.19%. Well-qualified borrowers can get a rate of 1.75% with less than 2 points. Locally, the 30-year fixed will drop below 1.5% with points. Currently, we’re in the very-low 2’s with points, and the national average fell Thursday to a record low of 2.66%. Locally, the 30-year jumbo fixed-rate (over $822,375 in Los Angeles and Orange counties and over $548,250 in the Inland Empire) will drop below 2% with points. Today you can get 2.75%. The 43% debt-to-income restriction for jumbos is going away. (Just about every mortgage lender in America will chase the big loans. More jumbo volume means more income for the same work since the dollars paid are based on loan size.) The Freddie Mac 30-year fixed-rate will average 2.65%, vs. a 2020 average of 3.12%. Freddie’s average rate has been below 3% since July. Average Freddie Mac mortgage rates will rise starting in the fourth quarter of 2021 as COVID-19 subsides and things start getting more normal. Get your mortgage business done before then. Rates will never be this low again. Wall Street’s prime rate will remain 3.25% throughout 2021. California’s eviction and foreclosure moratoriums will be extended through the third quarter of 2021. It will be lifted Oct. 1, and long lines will form at the courthouse. Southern California’s median home price will increase 10%. Southern California home sales will be flat compared with 2020. Congress and President-elect Biden will approve a first-time homebuyer tax credit of at least $10,000.
So how did I do this year? Here’s my score for 2020.
“The Freddie Mac 30-year fixed will average 3.4%.” It actually averaged 3.12%, 28 basis points lower. COVID-19. Who knew? Wrong. “At some point in 2020, you’ll be able to capture a 30-year fixed at 2.875% without points.” No-point loans were as low as 2.625% in 2020. Correct. “The median home price for Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties will rise 8% from 2019.” As of November, median home prices were up 9%, according to Attom Data. Close enough. Correct. “Southern California home sales volume will fall 8% from 2019.” Sales volume was down 3.9%, according to Attom. Wrong. “The Federal Reserve will not touch short-term rates.” The prime rate dropped from 4.75% to 4.25% on March 4. On March 16 it dropped again to 3.25%. Wrong. “Congress or President Trump will mandate a federal government guarantee on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac debt before they are released from conservatorship.” Never happened. F&F are going to be in the federal coffers for a long, long time. Wrong. “California and the rest of the country will enjoy a repeal of the $10,000 so-called SALT cap (federal tax deductions for state and local taxes).” Alas, wrong. “Fog the mirror loans (qualify on just a credit score of 680 or better) will be reduced to as low as 20% down, whereas they were at 25% down for investor properties.” You can do them at 20% down this year according to one of my non-QM lending sources. Correct. “One out of every four mortgages will be arranged by a mortgage broker.” The low was 7% in 2011. In 2020, mortgage brokers arranged 22% of all mortgages, according to the National Association of Mortgage Brokers. Close enough. Correct. “Refinance volume will be 50% more than in 2019.” Refinances volume doubled, according to Attom Data Solutions (measured by Q1 through Q3 for both years). My estimate was too low. Wrong.
Freddie Mac rate news: The 30-year fixed-rate averaged 2.66%, the 16th record low of the year, and 1 basis point lower than last week. The 15-year fixed-rate averaged 2.19%, also a record low for the 10th time this year, and down 2 basis points from last week.
The Mortgage Bankers Association reported a 1% increase in loan application volume from one week earlier.
Bottom line: Assuming a borrower gets the average 30-year fixed rate on a conforming $548,250 loan, last year’s payment was an astronomical $324 more than this week’s payment of $2,212.
What I see: Locally, well-qualified borrowers can get the following fixed-rate mortgages with 1 point: A 30-year FHA at 2.25%, a 15-year conventional at 1.99%, a 30-year conventional at 2.375%, a 15-year conventional high-balance ($548,251 to $822,375) at 2.125%, a 30-year conventional high-balance at 2.5% and a jumbo 30-year fixed at 2.75%.
Eye catcher loan of the week: A 15-year fixed at 1.75% with 1.99 points.
Jeff Lazerson is a mortgage broker. He can be reached at 949-334-2424 or jlazerson@mortgagegrader.com. His website is www.mortgagegrader.com.


mercurynews--2020-12-26--STAR rating means a higher standard for smog testers

Q .
A prerequisite for renewal of my car ’ s registration was to get and pass the smog test , and this is the second time that the Department of Motor Vehicles has required me to use a STAR testing station .
Can you tell me what is the difference between a STAR testing station and a regular one ?
And why does the DMV require this ?
The car is a 2006 Chrysler minivan .
Maybe its age played into having to go to a STAR test center ?
“ The STAR Program was created to improve the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state meet required emissions reductions , ” Matt Woodcheke , a spokesman for the California Department of Consumer Affairs , told Honk in an email .
“ Accordingly , STAR stations are licensed smog-check stations that meet higher performance standards , ” he said .
“ Vehicles with a higher likelihood of failure require a smog check at a STAR station.
” In other words , the stations themselves must meet higher standards to ensure the tests are accurate .
There is a placebo effect in place , as a small amount @ @ @ @ @ @ @ STAR test to stay on the road are selected randomly .
Q .
My 2002 truck needs to pass a smog test for my December registration renewal .
Do you know if the state is going to waive that requirement because of COVID-19 ?
A .
Some of you reading the first question and answer might have been scratching your noggin and wondering the same thing as Nick : The DMV has made a lot of changes to help people through the pandemic , so are there modifications for smog checks ?
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for required smog checks for vehicle registrations , ” Ivette Burch , a DMV spokeswoman in Sacramento , told Honk in an email .
Besides clarity , she passed along a tip : If you do lag past the deadline because of the smog check , at least pay the fee on time so your bill won ’ t grow with a penalty for being late .
You wouldn ’ t receive your registration tag until everything is done , including the smog check , though , so you could still get pulled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stations are considered essential by state officials during the pandemic , so they are allowed to operate .
Honkin ’ fact : To get all of their work done , Santa Claus and the reindeers had to travel more than 41 million miles to visit the homes of children celebrating Christmas .
Santa and his pals had 31 hours – with the time zones , the International Date Line and the like providing the extra cover of darkness .
( Source : The Mirror in the United Kingdom . )
To ask Honk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ocregister.com .
He only answers those that are published .
To see Honk online : ocregister.com/tag/honk .
Twitter : @ OCRegisterHonk

Q. A prerequisite for renewal of my car’s registration was to get and pass the smog test, and this is the second time that the Department of Motor Vehicles has required me to use a STAR testing station. Can you tell me what is the difference between a STAR testing station and a regular one? And why does the DMV require this? The car is a 2006 Chrysler minivan. Maybe its age played into having to go to a STAR test center?
– Hildegard Graeber, Torrance
A. There’s a good chance of that, Hildegard.
“The STAR Program was created to improve the overall quality of smog-check inspections and help the state meet required emissions reductions,” Matt Woodcheke, a spokesman for the California Department of Consumer Affairs, told Honk in an email.
“Accordingly, STAR stations are licensed smog-check stations that meet higher performance standards,” he said. “Vehicles with a higher likelihood of failure require a smog check at a STAR station.”
In other words, the stations themselves must meet higher standards to ensure the tests are accurate.
There is a placebo effect in place, as a small amount of the vehicles that must pass a STAR test to stay on the road are selected randomly.
Q. My 2002 truck needs to pass a smog test for my December registration renewal. Do you know if the state is going to waive that requirement because of COVID-19?
– Nick Berger, Westminster
A. Some of you reading the first question and answer might have been scratching your noggin and wondering the same thing as Nick: The DMV has made a lot of changes to help people through the pandemic, so are there modifications for smog checks?
No.
“There are no COVID-19-related extensions or waivers for required smog checks for vehicle registrations,” Ivette Burch, a DMV spokeswoman in Sacramento, told Honk in an email.
Besides clarity, she passed along a tip: If you do lag past the deadline because of the smog check, at least pay the fee on time so your bill won’t grow with a penalty for being late.
You wouldn’t receive your registration tag until everything is done, including the smog check, though, so you could still get pulled over.
By the way, smog-check stations are considered essential by state officials during the pandemic, so they are allowed to operate.
Honkin’ fact: To get all of their work done, Santa Claus and the reindeers had to travel more than 41 million miles to visit the homes of children celebrating Christmas. Santa and his pals had 31 hours – with the time zones, the International Date Line and the like providing the extra cover of darkness. (Source: The Mirror in the United Kingdom.)
To ask Honk questions, reach him at honk@ocregister.com. He only answers those that are published. To see Honk online: ocregister.com/tag/honk. Twitter: @OCRegisterHonk


mercurynews--2020-12-26--Coronavirus map: California reports 33,212 new cases and 296 new deaths

There were 33,212 new cases of the coronavirus reported in the state on Thursday , Dec 24 , bringing the @ @ @ @ @ have been infected to 2,040,528 , according to California public health websites .
There also @ @ @ @ @ , bringing the total number of people who have died to 23,934 .
Due to @ @ @ @ @ were no new patients reported in California ’ s hospitals .
Sources : Centers for @ @ @ @ @ Johns Hopkins University , the World Health Organization , the California Department of Public Health @ @ @ @ @ reporting counties and news sources

There were 33,212 new cases of the coronavirus reported in the state on Thursday, Dec 24, bringing the total number of people who have been infected to 2,040,528, according to California public health websites.
There also were 296 new deaths reported, bringing the total number of people who have died to 23,934.
Due to the Christmas holiday, there were no new patients reported in California’s hospitals.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Johns Hopkins University, the World Health Organization, the California Department of Public Health, The Associated Press, reporting counties and news sources


mercurynews--2020-12-26--Good Samaritan stops man who sexually assaulted California college student, police say

An Orange Coast College student being sexually assaulted by a man on campus was able to get away because a @ @ @ @ @ and intervened , Costa Mesa police said Thursday , Dec. 24 .
The 19-year-old student @ @ @ @ @ area and the Technology building just before 5 p.m. Wednesday when an unknown man came @ @ @ @ @ , police said in a statement .
As she was yelling for help , police @ @ @ @ @ confronted the suspect and the woman was able to flee .
“ He helped the @ @ @ @ @ the assault from escalating , ” police said .
“ CMPD thanks the good Samaritan @ @ @ @ @ protect a fellow member of his community.
” The suspect fled the scene , but @ @ @ @ @ suspiciously on campus and matched the attacker ’ s description was detained by campus security @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
The man accused of the attack was arrested .
It was @ @ @ @ @ Samaritan or the suspect were students .

An Orange Coast College student being sexually assaulted by a man on campus was able to get away because a good Samaritan saw the attack and intervened, Costa Mesa police said Thursday, Dec. 24.
The 19-year-old student was walking near the Horticulture area and the Technology building just before 5 p.m. Wednesday when an unknown man came from behind and groped her, police said in a statement. As she was yelling for help, police said, the good Samaritan confronted the suspect and the woman was able to flee.
“He helped the victim get away and stopped the assault from escalating,” police said. “CMPD thanks the good Samaritan for his quick intervention to protect a fellow member of his community.”
The suspect fled the scene, but a man who was acting suspiciously on campus and matched the attacker’s description was detained by campus security at around 4:30 a.m. Thursday, police said. The man accused of the attack was arrested.
It was not clear if the good Samaritan or the suspect were students.


Word Game: Dec. 26, 2020

Can you find 47 or more words in SPORADIC ?
The list will be published Monday .
YESTERDAY ’ S @ @ @ @ @ hilt hoist hole hose host hostel hostile hotel lest list lithe lose lost loth isle @ @ @ @ @ shot silo silt site slit sloe slot sloth soil sole stile stole this thole those @ @ @ @ @ purchase the Word Game book , visit WordGameBooks.com .
Order it now for just $ @ @ @ @ @ 1 .
Words must be of four or more letters .
2 .
Words that @ @ @ @ @ addition of “ s , ” such as “ bats ” or “ dies , @ @ @ @ @ 3 .
Additional words made by adding a “ d ” or an “ s @ @ @ @ @ .
For example , if “ bake ” is used , “ baked ” or @ @ @ @ @ allowed , but “ bake ” and “ baking ” are admissible .
4 .
@ @ @ @ @ , or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed .

TODAY’S WORD — SPORADIC (SPORADIC: spuh-RAD-ik: Occurring irregularly.)
Average mark 34 words
Time limit 40 minutes
Can you find 47 or more words in SPORADIC? The list will be published Monday.
YESTERDAY’S WORD — HOLIEST heist helot hilt hoist hole hose host hostel hostile
hotel lest list lithe lose lost loth isle islet isohel istle ethos shoe shot silo silt site slit sloe
slot sloth soil sole stile stole this thole those tile toil toile tole
To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!
RULES OF THE GAME:
1. Words must be of four or more letters.
2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.
3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.
4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.
Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at kzsaxe@gmail.com.


mercurynews--2020-12-26--Horoscopes Dec. 26, 2020: Jared Leto and Chris Daughtry share advice

Happy Birthday : Set your expectations high , and don ’ t give up until you reach your goal .
A positive change is heading your way , and you ’ ll have plenty of opportunities as the new year unfolds .
A chance to enhance your skills , knowledge and relationships with like-minded people will encourage you to branch out and see what life has to offer .
Push your way to victory .
Your numbers are 8 , 13 , 22 , 28 , 34 , 39 , 46 .
ARIES ( March 21-April 19 ) : Do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way you feel about life , love and happiness .
A positive change will take work , but in the end , it will be worthwhile .
A gift you receive will ease financial stress .
Make romance a priority .
3 stars TAURUS ( April 20-May 20 ) : A change of scenery will pique your interest regarding something you want to pursue .
Whether you travel the information highway or a path that sparks your imagination , the result will lead you in a positive direction .
3 stars GEMINI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in something that encourages you to use your skills in new and exciting ways .
Touch base with someone who shares your interests , and it will enable you to make a move .
Making a personal improvement and nurturing a meaningful relationship are favored .
3 stars CANCER ( June 21-July 22 ) : Pay more attention to the ones you love .
Make unique plans that will bring you closer .
Family fun will help put the past to rest and encourage you to engage in projects that everyone enjoys .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ stars LEO ( July 23-Aug. 22 ) : Don ’ t take anyone or anything for granted .
Be observant , consider your options and do what is safe and best for you .
Refuse to let your ego get in the way of common sense .
Make fitness , health , nutrition and your budget priorities .
4 stars VIRGO ( Aug. 23-Sept. 22 ) : Step up and take over .
Do whatever it takes to maintain stability .
Don ’ t let someone ’ s uncertainty or confusion taint the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Put your health and emotional well-being first and foremost .
Don ’ t be gullible .
2 stars LIBRA ( Sept. 23-Oct. 22 ) : Above all , do your best to keep the peace .
Don ’ t argue with someone who is stubborn and will never see things your way .
Do what you do best , and focus on what ’ s important to you .
Make a positive change at home .
3 stars SCORPIO ( Oct. 23-Nov. 21 ) : A lively and entertaining discussion will offer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to give your financial situation a boost .
A creative idea will improve your living space and give you more freedom to pursue your passion .
3 stars SAGITTARIUS ( Nov. 22-Dec. 21 ) : Misinformation will lead to assumptions .
Get your facts straight before you share information .
Put more time and effort into personal gains , self-improvement , and physical and emotional well-being .
Make romance a priority .
Offer peace and love instead of chaos and discord .
3 stars CAPRICORN ( Dec. 22-Jan. 19 ) : Home improvements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ projects and clear space that will make it possible to turn something you desire into a reality .
Leave nothing to chance .
Outline what needs to be done , and then get it underway .
5 stars AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18 ) : Don ’ t dwell on what will or will not happen .
Aim to create a safe and happy environment conducive to good health , fitness and financial stability .
Times are changing , and it ’ s essential to secure your position and future .
2 stars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Don ’ t convince yourself of something without verifying information .
Be smart regarding an offer that sounds too good to be true .
A creative outlet will ease stress and help you figure out what ’ s best for you .
A change is heading your way .
4 stars Birthday Baby : You are forceful , courageous and impressive .
You are smart and observant .

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Chris Daughtry, 41; Jared Leto, 49; Ozzie Smith, 66; John Walsh, 75.
Happy Birthday: Set your expectations high, and don’t give up until you reach your goal. A positive change is heading your way, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities as the new year unfolds. A chance to enhance your skills, knowledge and relationships with like-minded people will encourage you to branch out and see what life has to offer. Push your way to victory. Your numbers are 8, 13, 22, 28, 34, 39, 46.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Do something that lifts your spirit and enhances the way you feel about life, love and happiness. A positive change will take work, but in the end, it will be worthwhile. A gift you receive will ease financial stress. Make romance a priority. 3 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): A change of scenery will pique your interest regarding something you want to pursue. Whether you travel the information highway or a path that sparks your imagination, the result will lead you in a positive direction. 3 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Engage in something that encourages you to use your skills in new and exciting ways. Touch base with someone who shares your interests, and it will enable you to make a move. Making a personal improvement and nurturing a meaningful relationship are favored. 3 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Pay more attention to the ones you love. Make unique plans that will bring you closer. Family fun will help put the past to rest and encourage you to engage in projects that everyone enjoys. An unusual opportunity looks inviting. 4 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Don’t take anyone or anything for granted. Be observant, consider your options and do what is safe and best for you. Refuse to let your ego get in the way of common sense. Make fitness, health, nutrition and your budget priorities. 4 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Step up and take over. Do whatever it takes to maintain stability. Don’t let someone’s uncertainty or confusion taint the way you feel or alter your plans. Put your health and emotional well-being first and foremost. Don’t be gullible. 2 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Above all, do your best to keep the peace. Don’t argue with someone who is stubborn and will never see things your way. Do what you do best, and focus on what’s important to you. Make a positive change at home. 3 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): A lively and entertaining discussion will offer information and insight into a unique way to give your financial situation a boost. A creative idea will improve your living space and give you more freedom to pursue your passion. 3 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Misinformation will lead to assumptions. Get your facts straight before you share information. Put more time and effort into personal gains, self-improvement, and physical and emotional well-being. Make romance a priority. Offer peace and love instead of chaos and discord. 3 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Home improvements will encourage you to take on new projects and clear space that will make it possible to turn something you desire into a reality. Leave nothing to chance. Outline what needs to be done, and then get it underway. 5 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Don’t dwell on what will or will not happen. Aim to create a safe and happy environment conducive to good health, fitness and financial stability. Times are changing, and it’s essential to secure your position and future. 2 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Don’t convince yourself of something without verifying information. Be smart regarding an offer that sounds too good to be true. A creative outlet will ease stress and help you figure out what’s best for you. A change is heading your way. 4 stars
Birthday Baby: You are forceful, courageous and impressive. You are smart and observant.
Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.


Bridge: Dec. 26, 2020

“ So , what did Santa bring you this year ?
” I asked Unlucky Louie in the club lounge .
“ My kids gave me the usual gift of a new wallet , ” Louie sighed , “ as if I have anything left to put in it .
Our tree got trimmed , and so did I.
” Louie ’ s Christmas shopping is extensive — he has a big family — but he could pay off if he limited his losses in his penny game .
As declarer at today ’ s four spades , Louie took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led the ace and a low club .
West took the king and jack and led the nine .
Louie ruffed in dummy , but East overruffed , and West got a trump trick for down one .
“ Clubs might have split 3-3 , ” Louie shrugged , “ or a defender with two clubs might have had three trumps .
Then I ’ m safe.
” Louie succeeds easily .
He ruffs a heart at Trick Two and takes the A-K of trumps .
Then he goes to dummy with high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takes the ace of clubs .
Having won nine tricks , he leads dummy ’ s last high diamond and is sure of one more .
You hold : S A K 7 6 5 H 5 D 8 5 3 C 8 7 3 2 .
Your partner opens one heart , you bid one spade and he rebids two hearts .
The opponents pass .
What do you say ?
ANSWER : Your partner promises six or more hearts .
If he held Q 2 , A K 8 6 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 , he would bid 1NT at his second turn .
With Q 2 , A K 8 6 2 , 7 6 , A J 5 4 , he would bid two clubs .
With Q J 2 , A K 8 6 2 , A 7 6 , 5 4 , he would raise to two spades .
He also has minimum opening values , so game is impossible .
Pass .

“So, what did Santa bring you this year?” I asked Unlucky Louie in the club lounge.
“My kids gave me the usual gift of a new wallet,” Louie sighed, “as if I have anything left to put in it. Our tree got trimmed, and so did I.”
Louie’s Christmas shopping is extensive — he has a big family — but he could pay off if he limited his losses in his penny game. As declarer at today’s four spades, Louie took dummy’s ace of hearts and led the ace and a low club. West took the king and jack and led the nine. Louie ruffed in dummy, but East overruffed, and West got a trump trick for down one.
3-3 SPLIT
“Clubs might have split 3-3,” Louie shrugged, “or a defender with two clubs might have had three trumps. Then I’m safe.”
Louie succeeds easily. He ruffs a heart at Trick Two and takes the A-K of trumps. Then he goes to dummy with high diamonds to ruff two more hearts and takes the ace of clubs. Having won nine tricks, he leads dummy’s last high diamond and is sure of one more.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S A K 7 6 5 H 5 D 8 5 3 C 8 7 3 2. Your partner opens one heart, you bid one spade and he rebids two hearts. The opponents pass. What do you say?
ANSWER: Your partner promises six or more hearts. If he held Q 2, A K 8 6 2, K 7 6, Q 6 4, he would bid 1NT at his second turn. With Q 2, A K 8 6 2, 7 6, A J 5 4, he would bid two clubs. With Q J 2, A K 8 6 2, A 7 6, 5 4, he would raise to two spades. He also has minimum opening values, so game is impossible. Pass.
North dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S 4 3 2
H A 7 4 3
D A K Q
C A 5 4
WEST
S Q J 10
H Q J 10 9
D 9 4
C K J 9 6
EAST
S 9 8
H K 8 6 2
D J 10 7 6 2
C Q 10
SOUTH
S A K 7 6 5
H 5
D 8 5 3
C 8 7 3 2
North East South West
1 NT Pass 2 C Pass
2 H Pass 2 S Pass
4 S All Pass
Opening lead — H Q
(C)2020 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


mercurynews--2020-12-26--Ask Amy: My cousin’s strategy found me a wife in two months

Dear Amy : “ Wondering ” said that he was in his late 50s .
He wondered how to approach women to see if they were available , or whether he should stop looking .
My young but wise cousin and I had a conversation one time about meeting women .
I asked him what I should do to meet women .
His advice was , “ Stop looking !
” He said that people can sense when somebody is desperate and that can be a big turnoff .
He also said to just be myself and strike up conversations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fun — and not just expecting to meet a woman .
This technique allows the real side of a person to shine and not the anxious “ I have to meet somebody ” side .
Once Wondering has a great conversation going in a relaxed atmosphere , upon departing simply ask if he can continue the conversation over coffee .
• Ask Amy : Why do they always tell me what race people are ?
• Ask Amy : I ’ m triggered by the things they say about my mother • Ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by what her fake grandmother did • Ask Amy : My girlfriend is getting worse , and I can ’ t handle it • Ask Amy : 18 best books for Christmas gifts to kids and adults If the woman says no because she is spoken for , he should not assume it is over .
She may have connections in her network and know a perfect match for him .
Two months after speaking to my cousin , my soon-to-be wife came into my life .
Dear Married : I have shared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s advice , myself .
However , he was not saying to stop looking altogether , but to simply relax and look in a different way .
Connecting with people with a friendly and open attitude can lead to friendship ( or more ) and can also quite simply brighten another person ’ s day .
Dear Amy : For “ Wondering , ” the single male in his late 50s who wonders how to date again , I suggest volunteering for a charity or organization that is meaningful to him .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago .
His conversation starter : “ What inspired you to volunteer here ?
” My response opened up a world of common interests that evolved into respect , love and a happy marriage .
Dear Worked : Volunteering is a good way to achieve multiple purposes : doing good work and meeting other kind and generous people .
I ’ m focused on your husband ’ s first question to you .
It is an ideal example of an open-ended question , designed to inspire a thoughtful response .
Dear Amy : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an aspiring journal keeper , and I thought she might be interested in a method that I fell into many years ago .
One thing that has gotten me writing regularly is the daily email correspondence I have with a friend .
This friend started writing newsy emails to me at the beginning of our friendship , and the both of us fell into the habit of writing to each other every day .
I copy and save our emails and have files going back to 2004 !
We usually write about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admittedly many of them are not very deep or exciting .
However , there have been times that they have been useful when I needed to remember what date something significant occurred .
The best benefit from this has been that my friend and I have gotten to be very close and we each look forward to reading each other ’ s emails as we each begin our day .
Obviously “ M ” would need to find someone willing to put in the effort to write back and forth with her daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among her friends and family members to see if anyone else might be interested enough to do this .
In addition , she may still want to keep the blank journal on her nightstand so she can write her more deep and private innermost thoughts , separate from the writing she does with her email pen pal .
Dear Irene : What a wonderful and rich way to record your own personal daily history , while at the same time deepening your friendship !
During a pandemic is in many ways the perfect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I ’ m inspired , and I hope others will also be inspired to seek regular pen pals .
Dear Amy : I thank you for your answer to “ Disgusted , ” a Black man who was regularly subjected to racial slurs at his warehouse workplace .
I was truly sickened to learn that people are still having to cope with such indignities .
Dear Shocked : Toni Morrison , quoted in my answer , said , “ The work of racism is to silence and distract you.
” Many readers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , some responses were not only dismissive , but outright racist .
We have a lot of work to do .
You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy @ amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy , P.O .
Box 194 , Freeville , NY 13068 .
You can also follow her on Twitter @ askingamy or Facebook .

Dear Amy: “Wondering” said that he was in his late 50s. He wondered how to approach women to see if they were available, or whether he should stop looking.
My young but wise cousin and I had a conversation one time about meeting women. I asked him what I should do to meet women. His advice was, “Stop looking!”
He said that people can sense when somebody is desperate and that can be a big turnoff. He also said to just be myself and strike up conversations with people with the intent of having fun — and not just expecting to meet a woman. This technique allows the real side of a person to shine and not the anxious “I have to meet somebody” side.
Once Wondering has a great conversation going in a relaxed atmosphere, upon departing simply ask if he can continue the conversation over coffee.
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Ask Amy: I’ve told them they need therapy, and they refuse to do it. What now? Advice | Ask Amy: The man I love is my grandchild’s uncle, and things have gotten messy If the woman says no because she is spoken for, he should not assume it is over. She may have connections in her network and know a perfect match for him.
Two months after speaking to my cousin, my soon-to-be wife came into my life.
Happily Married
Dear Married: I have shared, and followed, your cousin’s advice, myself.
However, he was not saying to stop looking altogether, but to simply relax and look in a different way. Connecting with people with a friendly and open attitude can lead to friendship (or more) and can also quite simply brighten another person’s day.
Dear Amy: For “Wondering,” the single male in his late 50s who wonders how to date again, I suggest volunteering for a charity or organization that is meaningful to him.
I met my husband that way 42 years ago. His conversation starter: “What inspired you to volunteer here?”
My response opened up a world of common interests that evolved into respect, love and a happy marriage.
Worked for Us
Dear Worked: Volunteering is a good way to achieve multiple purposes: doing good work and meeting other kind and generous people.
I’m focused on your husband’s first question to you. It is an ideal example of an open-ended question, designed to inspire a thoughtful response.
Dear Amy: “M” was looking for advice as an aspiring journal keeper, and I thought she might be interested in a method that I fell into many years ago.
One thing that has gotten me writing regularly is the daily email correspondence I have with a friend.
This friend started writing newsy emails to me at the beginning of our friendship, and the both of us fell into the habit of writing to each other every day.
I copy and save our emails and have files going back to 2004!
We usually write about what happened to us each day and admittedly many of them are not very deep or exciting. However, there have been times that they have been useful when I needed to remember what date something significant occurred.
The best benefit from this has been that my friend and I have gotten to be very close and we each look forward to reading each other’s emails as we each begin our day.
Obviously “M” would need to find someone willing to put in the effort to write back and forth with her daily, but she may want to inquire among her friends and family members to see if anyone else might be interested enough to do this.
In addition, she may still want to keep the blank journal on her nightstand so she can write her more deep and private innermost thoughts, separate from the writing she does with her email pen pal.
Irene, in Colchester, CT
Dear Irene: What a wonderful and rich way to record your own personal daily history, while at the same time deepening your friendship!
During a pandemic is in many ways the perfect time to strike up a new correspondence.
I’m inspired, and I hope others will also be inspired to seek regular pen pals.
Dear Amy: I thank you for your answer to “Disgusted,” a Black man who was regularly subjected to racial slurs at his warehouse workplace.
I was truly sickened to learn that people are still having to cope with such indignities.
Shocked
Dear Shocked: Toni Morrison, quoted in my answer, said, “The work of racism is to silence and distract you.”
Many readers were inspired to respond, and frankly, some responses were not only dismissive, but outright racist.
We have a lot of work to do.
You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.


mercurynews--2020-12-27--49ers’ George Kittle relishes more Saturday football with Iowa teammate C.J. Beathard

George Kittle ’ s return meant a lot to the 49ers ’ winning cause Saturday , and it carried special weight with C.J .
Beathard , his teammate since their 2012 redshirt season at Iowa “ George , even though we ’ re out of the playoffs , the fact he was fighting to come back and wanting to come back , and that we ’ d been together for nine years , it was pretty cool , ” Beathard said after their 20-12 win over the host Arizona Cardinals .
Kittle returned the compliment , saying of Beathard : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was fun to play some Saturday football again with him.
” Kittle , no surprise , led the 49ers with 92 receiving yards .
He had four catches and dropped his only other target .
Did his first catch , a 24-yard effort in which 23 yards came after the catch , make him feel like he was in his 2019 All-Pro form ?
“ Oh gosh no .
The game was moving pretty fast , ” Kittle said .
“ Only got 28 plays so I ’ ve got to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down in the second half and I got a feel for it .
I ’ m proud of our tight end room and the team itself.
” CLICK HERE if you ’ re having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device .
Kittle wasn ’ t on the receiving end of any of Beathard ’ s three touchdown passes , and that wasn ’ t much of a surprise , either .
They ’ ve connected for only two touchdowns since joining the 49ers in 2017 , when Beathard got drafted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fifth round after their four seasons at Iowa .
Another byproduct of his presence as a blocker was the 49ers ’ revived rushing attack ( season-high 227 yards , including 183 from Jeff Wilson ) .
“ It was like old times , like last season when we were winning and dominating in the run game , ” fullback Kyle Juszczyk said .
“ George Kittle , having his energy out there and seeing him make plays , the first time he gets the ball he breaks tackles and it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we missed.
’ ” What the 49ers ( 6-9 ) officially have missed are the playoffs .
Eliminated from wild-card contention with last Sunday ’ s loss at Dallas , the 49ers still gave the green light to Kittle ’ s return from a Nov. 1 foot fracture .
Added Kittle : “ Guys made plays today and we were inspired to play with C.J .
Even though we ’ re not making the playoffs , we wanted to make somebody ’ s life more difficult and we did that today .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up a Bears fan and the fact we helped the Bears makes me happy .
Da Bears.
” If the Bears ( 7-7 ) win their final two games , they can overtake Arizona ( 8-7 ) for the NFC ’ s third wild-card spot .
• Jeff Wilson , 49ers continue to burn Cardinals with same passing route • 49ers at Cardinals : Five players to watch as 49ers try playing spoiler in Arizona

George Kittle’s triumphant return for the 49ers on Saturday is also going over quite well for his childhood team, the Chicago Bears.
If the Bears (7-7) win their final two games, they can overtake Arizona (8-7) for the NFC’s third wild-card spot, thanks to the 49ers’ 20-12 upset Saturday over the Cardinals.
“Even though we’re not making the playoffs, we wanted to make somebody’s life more difficult and we did that today,” Kittle said. “I grew up a Bears fan and the fact we helped the Bears makes me happy.
“Da Bears!”
#49ers George Kittle on how beating Arizona means Chicago can claim No. 3 wild card by winning out:
"I will say this: I grew up a #Bears fan and the fact we helped the Bears makes me happy. Da Bears!" — Cam Inman (@CamInman) December 27, 2020
Kittle’s return meant a lot to the 49ers (6-9), and it carried special weight with C.J. Beathard, his teammate since their 2012 redshirt season at Iowa.
“Even though we’re out of the playoffs, he didn’t necessarily have to come back,” Beathard said after their 20-12 win over host Arizona. “But the fact he was fighting to come back and wanting to come back, all week was, ‘I can’t wait to be out there with you.’ We’ve been together for nine years, so it was pretty cool.”
Kittle returned the compliment, saying of Beathard: “Overall he handled himself incredible and it was really fun to play some Saturday football again with my brother again.”
Kittle, no surprise, led the 49ers with 92 receiving yards. He had four catches and dropped his only other target.
His first catch, a 24-yard effort in which 23 yards came after the catch, may have looked like the old Kittle, but the tight end said he didn’t feel like he was back to his 2019 All-Pro form.
“Oh gosh no. The game was moving pretty fast,” Kittle said. “Only got 28 plays so I’ve got to make them most of those. It slowed down in the second half and I got a feel for it. I’m proud of our tight end room and the team itself.”
San Francisco 49ers running back Jeff Wilson (30) celebrates his touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals with quarterback C.J. Beathard (3) during the first half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard (3) looks to pass as Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (94) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 26: Tight end George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 26, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard (3) looks to pass against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) is hit by Arizona Cardinals center Lamont Gaillard (53) during the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals' Markus Golden (44) shoves San Francisco 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard (3) after the pass during the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 26: Offensive tackle Daniel Brunskill #60, tight end George Kittle #85, center Tony Bergstrom #62, and fullback Kyle Juszczyk #44 of the San Francisco 49ers take the field during warmups before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 26, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Getty Images GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 26: Quarterback C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass while under pressure from linebacker Haason Reddick #43 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at State Farm Stadium on December 26, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 26: Quarterback C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 26, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 26: Running back Jeff Wilson Jr. #30 celebrates with tight end George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers after Wilson's touchdown during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 26, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard (3) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Jennifer Stewart)
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Haason Reddick (43) forces San Francisco 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard (3) to fumble during the first half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals recovered the ball. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
CLICK HERE if you’re having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device.
Kittle wasn’t on the receiving end of any of Beathard’s three touchdown passes, and that wasn’t much of a surprise, either. They’ve connected for only two touchdowns since joining the 49ers in 2017, when Beathard was drafted in the third round and Kittle in the fifth round after their four seasons together at Iowa.
Another byproduct of his presence as a blocker was the 49ers’ revived rushing attack (season-high 227 yards, including 183 from Jeff Wilson).
“It was like old times, like last season when we were winning and dominating in the run game,” fullback Kyle Juszczyk said. “George Kittle, having his energy out there and seeing him make plays, the first time he gets the ball he breaks tackles and it’s, ‘Man, this is what we missed.'”
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