mercurynews--2020-01-29--Senators pepper House managers, Trump lawyers with impeachment questions

Senators finally got their chance to participate in President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial by asking questions Wednesday — a phase both sides are hoping can sway their undecided colleagues on the issue of witnesses .
In a sign of the importance of their role , Senate Republicans gave the opening question of the day to Sens .
Susan Collins of Maine , Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitt Romney of Utah , three Republicans who have hinted they could vote to hear from witnesses .
Collins ’ question , submitted through Chief Justice John Roberts , asked the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should consider if the President had multiple motives when he held up US security aid to Ukraine .
“ If there is any possibility , if there is something that shows a possible public interest and the President could have that possible public interest motive — that destroys their case , ” said Patrick Philbin , deputy counsel to the President .
“ So once you ’ re into mixed-motive land , it ’ s clear that their case fails.
” Senate Democrats teed up lead impeachment manager Rep. Adam Schiff of California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complete with videos of the defense counsel presentation to argue that the Senate should hear from former national security adviser John Bolton .
“ If you have any question about the President ’ s motivation , it makes it all the more essential to call the man who spoke directly with the President , that the President confided in and said he was holding up this aid because he wanted Ukraine to conduct these political investigations that would help in the next election , ” Schiff said .
“ Don ’ t wait @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afternoon , Collins and Murkowski asked a question about whether the President had raised with his aides the issue of corruption in regards to Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden before the former vice president entered the presidential race .
Philbin said he didn ’ t know of specific conversations with Trump , and instead discussed the investigative efforts of the President ’ s attorney Rudy Giuliani in Ukraine .
The back-and-forth over Trump ’ s motives and Bolton kicked off two days of senator questions to the House managers and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the final phase of the trial before the Senate will debate and vote on whether to seek witnesses and documents .
Senators still can ’ t speak during the trial , so they are written on a notecard and Roberts reads them aloud .
The questions provided some insight into the thinking of senators after hearing three days of uninterrupted presentations from both sides , although most of the questions were friendly : Democrats questioning the House managers and Republicans asking for a response from the President ’ s team .
When Philbin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rob Portman , an Ohio Republican who hasn ’ t stated his position on witnesses , about the implications for the Senate if they move forward on witnesses , Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee began taking extensive notes .
Philbin contended that such a step would set a dangerous precedent and paralyze the body .
Alexander , viewed by both sides as potentially the pivotal vote on witnesses , continued taking notes as Schiff made his counterpoint .
One of the more notable answers came from Alan Dershowitz , the Harvard law professor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team , who argued that a quid pro quo to boost a president ’ s reelection chances can not be impeachable because the politician is acting in the national interest .
Senate leaders in both parties have worked with senators to craft questions that will be asked , as Republicans push for an end to the trial while Democrats make their case for calling witnesses and subpoenaing documents .
The vote on witnesses , which is expected Friday , comes down to the handful of Republicans who remain undecided on whether there should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican senators met behind closed doors on Tuesday , where Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told his conference they didn ’ t have the votes — yet — to defeat witnesses , but Republicans left the meeting confident they can get there .
“ There have been a lot of discussions , but I have no idea how the votes are going to fall , ” said Collins , a Republican who is leaning toward voting for witnesses , before the trial began on Wednesday .
“ I am pleased that I , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and others , worked very hard to get it into the resolution a guaranteed vote on whether or not to call witnesses at this point in the trial.
” McConnell met on Wednesday morning with Murkowski , an Alaska Republican also on the fence about witnesses .
“ I had a meeting with Leader McConnell , but I ’ m not going to talk to you about it , ” Murkowski said after leaving McConnell ’ s office .
“ I am not going to be discussing the witness situation right now .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions that I want to get into the mix .
So I ’ ve been talking with the folks in the cloakroom about what the universe is , see how we can supplement that , so that ’ s my purposes.
” Perhaps the biggest wildcard right now is Alexander , the retiring Tennessee Republican and Senate institutionalist who is close to members on both sides .
He is also a McConnell confidant .
Sources who attended Tuesday ’ s Republican meeting say Alexander did not speak about his views on witnesses — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way or the other .
He is reading through the materials from the inquiry and past testimony and continues to say he will make a judgment after the questioning period is done .
On the Democratic side , there are still a handful of red-state senators who have not said how they will vote on whether to convict or impeach Trump on the articles of impeachment .
Sen. Joe Manchin , a West Virginia Democrat , has said he wants witnesses , like former national security adviser John Bolton .
On Wednesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a key witness sought by Republicans : former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s son , Hunter Biden .
“ I want witnesses .
I definitely want witnesses , ” Manchin said .
“ The only thing I ’ ve said is that there should be an adult in the room and that ’ s Chief Justice Roberts .
We should vote again on Chief Justice Roberts being able to determine who is pertinent … if Hunter Biden is one of the people who is pertinent to the evidence or to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not tipped his hand on his final vote , but said both sides did a “ good job ” with their presentations .
Trump suggested on Twitter that Manchin would ultimately vote against him .
“ There is much talk that certain Democrats are going to be voting with Republicans on the Impeachment Hoax , so that the Senate can get back to the business of taking care of the American people , ” Trump tweeted .
“ Sorry , but Cryin ’ Chuck Schumer will never let that happen !
” Questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between Republicans and Democrats , with a Senate aide walking the written queries up to the dais for Roberts to read them aloud .
A majority of the questions could be characterized as softballs : Senate Republicans gave the President ’ s team the chance to explain its case , and Senate Democrats did the same for the House impeachment managers .
There were questions posed to both sides asking them to simply respond to what the opposition had just said .
The pace had changed from the often lengthy presentations that were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held each side to a five-minute response to the questions — cutting off those who went over their time .
Democrats spread out their questions to the House managers , with Schiff , the head manager taking the lead .
Philbin answered a majority of the questions for the President ’ s team , with others chiming in occasionally .
Still , there were some notable responses , such as when Sen. Ted Cruz , a Texas Republican , asked the President ’ s team , “ As a matter of law , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quid pro quo ?
” Dershowitz responded that a politician trying to win reelection is acting in the national interest , saying that Trump can not be impeached for pressuring Ukraine for investigations into Joe Biden because the President ’ s motivations would ultimately be fueled by the public interest , if he believes his reelection is what ’ s best for the country .
“ Every public official that I know believes that his election is in the public interest , ” Dershowitz said .
“ And if a president did something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elected , in the public interest , that can not be the kind of quid pro quo that results in impeachment.
” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , a New York Democrat , asked Schiff to respond .
“ All quid pros are not the same , ” Schiff said .
“ Some are legitimate and some are corrupt , and you don ’ t need to be a mind reader to figure out which is which.
” Occasionally , senators quizzed the lawyers on the other side of the aisle .
Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posed a question to both teams about why the House hadn ’ t challenged the President ’ s executive privilege claims .
Sens .
Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Cruz asked the House managers a hypothetical about former President Barack Obama asking Russia for an investigation into his then-opponent , current Utah Sen. Mitt Romney .
Sen. Martin Heinrich , a New Mexico Democrat , asked the President ’ s team when the White House counsel had learned about the Bolton manuscript .
Philbin said they had been notified of it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And independent Sen. Angus King of Maine , who caucuses with the Democrats , asked both sides about former White House chief of staff John Kelly ’ s comments that he believes Bolton and he should testify .
“ Do you agree with General Kelly ?
” King asked .
Jay Sekulow , Trump ’ s personal lawyer , ticked off the denials from the President , the vice president and the Justice Department .
• Parnas goes to DC to watch the Senate trial of President Trump • Bolton and his book @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move that into a change in proceeding , so to speak , I think is not correct , ” Sekulow said , adding that the President ’ s team expects witnesses if the House gets witnesses .
Schiff urged senators to hear from Bolton so they could judge for themselves .
“ It ’ s really , at the end of the day , not whether I believe John Bolton , or whether General Kelly believes John Bolton , ” Schiff said , “ but whether you believe John Bolton — whether you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directly from John Bolton , whether you ’ ll have an opportunity to evaluate his credibility for yourself .
”

By Jeremy Herb, Manu Raju, Phil Mattingly and Lauren Fox | CNN
Senators finally got their chance to participate in President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial by asking questions Wednesday — a phase both sides are hoping can sway their undecided colleagues on the issue of witnesses.
In a sign of the importance of their role, Senate Republicans gave the opening question of the day to Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitt Romney of Utah, three Republicans who have hinted they could vote to hear from witnesses. Collins’ question, submitted through Chief Justice John Roberts, asked the President’s legal team how senators should consider if the President had multiple motives when he held up US security aid to Ukraine.
“If there is any possibility, if there is something that shows a possible public interest and the President could have that possible public interest motive — that destroys their case,” said Patrick Philbin, deputy counsel to the President. “So once you’re into mixed-motive land, it’s clear that their case fails.”
Senate Democrats teed up lead impeachment manager Rep. Adam Schiff of California to respond on the next question — complete with videos of the defense counsel presentation to argue that the Senate should hear from former national security adviser John Bolton.
“If you have any question about the President’s motivation, it makes it all the more essential to call the man who spoke directly with the President, that the President confided in and said he was holding up this aid because he wanted Ukraine to conduct these political investigations that would help in the next election,” Schiff said. “Don’t wait for the book.”
Later in the afternoon, Collins and Murkowski asked a question about whether the President had raised with his aides the issue of corruption in regards to Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden before the former vice president entered the presidential race. Philbin said he didn’t know of specific conversations with Trump, and instead discussed the investigative efforts of the President’s attorney Rudy Giuliani in Ukraine.
The back-and-forth over Trump’s motives and Bolton kicked off two days of senator questions to the House managers and the President’s legal team, in the final phase of the trial before the Senate will debate and vote on whether to seek witnesses and documents. Senators still can’t speak during the trial, so they are written on a notecard and Roberts reads them aloud.
Key senators listening in
The questions provided some insight into the thinking of senators after hearing three days of uninterrupted presentations from both sides, although most of the questions were friendly: Democrats questioning the House managers and Republicans asking for a response from the President’s team.
When Philbin began answering a question from Sen. Rob Portman, an Ohio Republican who hasn’t stated his position on witnesses, about the implications for the Senate if they move forward on witnesses, Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee began taking extensive notes. Philbin contended that such a step would set a dangerous precedent and paralyze the body.
Alexander, viewed by both sides as potentially the pivotal vote on witnesses, continued taking notes as Schiff made his counterpoint.
One of the more notable answers came from Alan Dershowitz, the Harvard law professor emeritus on the President’s legal team, who argued that a quid pro quo to boost a president’s reelection chances cannot be impeachable because the politician is acting in the national interest.
Senate leaders in both parties have worked with senators to craft questions that will be asked, as Republicans push for an end to the trial while Democrats make their case for calling witnesses and subpoenaing documents.
The vote on witnesses, which is expected Friday, comes down to the handful of Republicans who remain undecided on whether there should be witnesses called in the trial. Republican senators met behind closed doors on Tuesday, where Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told his conference they didn’t have the votes — yet — to defeat witnesses, but Republicans left the meeting confident they can get there.
“There have been a lot of discussions, but I have no idea how the votes are going to fall,” said Collins, a Republican who is leaning toward voting for witnesses, before the trial began on Wednesday. “I am pleased that I, along with Mitt Romney, Lisa Murkowski and others, worked very hard to get it into the resolution a guaranteed vote on whether or not to call witnesses at this point in the trial.”
McConnell met on Wednesday morning with Murkowski, an Alaska Republican also on the fence about witnesses.
“I had a meeting with Leader McConnell, but I’m not going to talk to you about it,” Murkowski said after leaving McConnell’s office. “I am not going to be discussing the witness situation right now. … I’ve got some more questions that I want to get into the mix. So I’ve been talking with the folks in the cloakroom about what the universe is, see how we can supplement that, so that’s my purposes.”
Wild cards in both parties
Perhaps the biggest wildcard right now is Alexander, the retiring Tennessee Republican and Senate institutionalist who is close to members on both sides. He is also a McConnell confidant.
Sources who attended Tuesday’s Republican meeting say Alexander did not speak about his views on witnesses — and is not tipping his hand one way or the other. He is reading through the materials from the inquiry and past testimony and continues to say he will make a judgment after the questioning period is done.
On the Democratic side, there are still a handful of red-state senators who have not said how they will vote on whether to convict or impeach Trump on the articles of impeachment.
Sen. Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat, has said he wants witnesses, like former national security adviser John Bolton. On Wednesday, Manchin said he was also potentially interested in a key witness sought by Republicans: former Vice President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden.
“I want witnesses. I definitely want witnesses,” Manchin said. “The only thing I’ve said is that there should be an adult in the room and that’s Chief Justice Roberts. We should vote again on Chief Justice Roberts being able to determine who is pertinent … if Hunter Biden is one of the people who is pertinent to the evidence or to the trial, then absolutely.”
Manchin has not tipped his hand on his final vote, but said both sides did a “good job” with their presentations.
Trump suggested on Twitter that Manchin would ultimately vote against him.
“There is much talk that certain Democrats are going to be voting with Republicans on the Impeachment Hoax, so that the Senate can get back to the business of taking care of the American people,” Trump tweeted. “Sorry, but Cryin’ Chuck Schumer will never let that happen!”
Questions to help make the case
Questions alternated between Republicans and Democrats, with a Senate aide walking the written queries up to the dais for Roberts to read them aloud.
A majority of the questions could be characterized as softballs: Senate Republicans gave the President’s team the chance to explain its case, and Senate Democrats did the same for the House impeachment managers. There were questions posed to both sides asking them to simply respond to what the opposition had just said.
The pace had changed from the often lengthy presentations that were delivered during opening arguments, as Roberts held each side to a five-minute response to the questions — cutting off those who went over their time.
Democrats spread out their questions to the House managers, with Schiff, the head manager taking the lead. Philbin answered a majority of the questions for the President’s team, with others chiming in occasionally.
Still, there were some notable responses, such as when Sen. Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, asked the President’s team, “As a matter of law, does it matter if there was a quid pro quo?”
Dershowitz responded that a politician trying to win reelection is acting in the national interest, saying that Trump cannot be impeached for pressuring Ukraine for investigations into Joe Biden because the President’s motivations would ultimately be fueled by the public interest, if he believes his reelection is what’s best for the country.
“Every public official that I know believes that his election is in the public interest,” Dershowitz said. “And if a president did something that he believes will help him get elected, in the public interest, that cannot be the kind of quid pro quo that results in impeachment.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, asked Schiff to respond. “All quid pros are not the same,” Schiff said. “Some are legitimate and some are corrupt, and you don’t need to be a mind reader to figure out which is which.”
Occasionally, senators quizzed the lawyers on the other side of the aisle. Sen. John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, posed a question to both teams about why the House hadn’t challenged the President’s executive privilege claims. Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Cruz asked the House managers a hypothetical about former President Barack Obama asking Russia for an investigation into his then-opponent, current Utah Sen. Mitt Romney.
Sen. Martin Heinrich, a New Mexico Democrat, asked the President’s team when the White House counsel had learned about the Bolton manuscript. Philbin said they had been notified of it, though he did not say when. And independent Sen. Angus King of Maine, who caucuses with the Democrats, asked both sides about former White House chief of staff John Kelly’s comments that he believes Bolton and he should testify. “Do you agree with General Kelly?” King asked.
Jay Sekulow, Trump’s personal lawyer, ticked off the denials from the President, the vice president and the Justice Department.
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Schiff urged senators to hear from Bolton so they could judge for themselves.
“It’s really, at the end of the day, not whether I believe John Bolton, or whether General Kelly believes John Bolton,” Schiff said, “but whether you believe John Bolton — whether you’ll have an opportunity to hear directly from John Bolton, whether you’ll have an opportunity to evaluate his credibility for yourself.”


mercurynews--2020-01-29--Santa Clara city manager, among highest paid in the state, gets 11.2% raise

Santa Clara City Manager Deanna Santana , among the highest paid city managers in the state in 2018 , will get an 11.2 percent pay raise after more than two years on the job .
The “ merit-based ” raise , which comes out to an additional $ 45,171 a year , brings Santana ’ s base salary to $ 448,491 .
The City Council , which voted 5-1 to approve the salary increase , also eliminated Santana ’ s $ 3,750 monthly housing allowance , which adds up to $ 45,000 a year .
Still , the raise will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s total annual compensation due to increased retirement costs , according to a city staff report .
In all , her total annual compensation will be $ 767,605 Mayor Lisa Gillmor said eliminating Santana ’ s housing allowance will negate much of the pay raise .
“ She has taken our city department by department and cleaned up a mess we were in , ” Gillmor said , pointing out the city recently took over management of the convention center .
“ She deserves a council that supports her and we couldn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reforms we went through without her professional leadership.
” Other council members said their city manager has the distinction of not only managing a city but also the city ’ s power utility , Silicon Valley Power , and overseeing Levi ’ s Stadium .
“ There ’ s no CEO out there that takes a salary for less than half a million , and here she is overseeing three corporations , ” Councilwoman Kathy Watanabe said .
“ We ’ re getting a good deal with all that she does.
” Councilman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to vote against the raise , saying his decision wasn ’ t a judgment of Santana ’ s performance but based on his view that her contract was too generous to begin with .
“ I don ’ t think it ’ s prudent to spend this type of money…our compensation package is way more than any [ other ] city , ” Chahal said .
He also took issue with the argument that the salary increase won ’ t cost taxpayers much more , noting that base salary increases mean higher pension @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the hook for .
“ This is not only what we are paying today , but we are also liable for the pension liability , ” Chahal said .
Councilwoman Patricia Mahan , who will step down from her seat Feb. 1 because of health issues , left the meeting before the vote on Santana ’ s contract .
Santana was hired as city manager in late 2017 from Sunnyvale , where she was the top administrator since June 2014 .
She previously worked as city administrator in Oakland for three years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 12 years .
The raise approved Tuesday is Santana ’ s first merit-based one since being hired in Santa Clara , but her contract also includes language that gives her the same salary increases given to unclassified management employees .
As part of the city ’ s labor agreement with those employees , Santana received a 4 percent salary increase in December 2017 and another 4 percent increase in December 2018 .
In 2018 , Santana took home $ 484,150 in total pay , which after other benefits brought her total compensation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to data from the State Controller ’ s Office .
That made her the third highest-paid city manager in the state based on total compensation , according to the Controller ’ s Office data .
Information from that database also accounts for other types of pay , such as settlements a city manager might receive upon leaving the city .
That was the case for N. Enrique Martinez , the former city manager of Redlands in San Bernardino County , who was the state ’ s top-paid city manager with $ 887,956 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severance package after he was fired that year .
The former city manager of Lancaster , Mark Bozigian , came in second in the State Controller ’ s data with total pay of $ 708,000 in 2018 , although he also retired that year .
Sabrina Landreth , Oakland ’ s city administrator , took home $ 432,964 in total pay in 2018 .
San Francisco , which is not included in the state controllers ’ s database , paid city administrator Naomi Kelly $ 371,822 in total compensation in 2018 , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ managers from Alameda , Palo Alto , Sunnyvale and Fremont were among the top five for total compensation in the Bay Area .

Santa Clara City Manager Deanna Santana, among the highest paid city managers in the state in 2018, will get an 11.2 percent pay raise after more than two years on the job.
The “merit-based” raise, which comes out to an additional $45,171 a year, brings Santana’s base salary to $448,491. The City Council, which voted 5-1 to approve the salary increase, also eliminated Santana’s $3,750 monthly housing allowance, which adds up to $45,000 a year.
Still, the raise will net at least $18,590 toward Santana’s total annual compensation due to increased retirement costs, according to a city staff report.
In all, her total annual compensation will be $767,605.
Mayor Lisa Gillmor said eliminating Santana’s housing allowance will negate much of the pay raise.
“She has taken our city department by department and cleaned up a mess we were in,” Gillmor said, pointing out the city recently took over management of the convention center. “She deserves a council that supports her and we couldn’t have gone through all these reforms we went through without her professional leadership.”
Other council members said their city manager has the distinction of not only managing a city but also the city’s power utility, Silicon Valley Power, and overseeing Levi’s Stadium.
“There’s no CEO out there that takes a salary for less than half a million, and here she is overseeing three corporations,” Councilwoman Kathy Watanabe said. “We’re getting a good deal with all that she does.”
Councilman Raj Chahal was the only council member to vote against the raise, saying his decision wasn’t a judgment of Santana’s performance but based on his view that her contract was too generous to begin with.
“I don’t think it’s prudent to spend this type of money…our compensation package is way more than any [other] city,” Chahal said.
He also took issue with the argument that the salary increase won’t cost taxpayers much more, noting that base salary increases mean higher pension payouts, which the city also is on the hook for.
“This is not only what we are paying today, but we are also liable for the pension liability,” Chahal said.
Councilwoman Patricia Mahan, who will step down from her seat Feb. 1 because of health issues, left the meeting before the vote on Santana’s contract.
Santana was hired as city manager in late 2017 from Sunnyvale, where she was the top administrator since June 2014. She previously worked as city administrator in Oakland for three years and before that in San Jose administration for 12 years.
The raise approved Tuesday is Santana’s first merit-based one since being hired in Santa Clara, but her contract also includes language that gives her the same salary increases given to unclassified management employees.
As part of the city’s labor agreement with those employees, Santana received a 4 percent salary increase in December 2017 and another 4 percent increase in December 2018.
In 2018, Santana took home $484,150 in total pay, which after other benefits brought her total compensation that year to $683,862, according to data from the State Controller’s Office. That made her the third highest-paid city manager in the state based on total compensation, according to the Controller’s Office data.
Information from that database also accounts for other types of pay, such as settlements a city manager might receive upon leaving the city.
That was the case for N. Enrique Martinez, the former city manager of Redlands in San Bernardino County, who was the state’s top-paid city manager with $887,956 in 2018, due in part to a severance package after he was fired that year.
The former city manager of Lancaster, Mark Bozigian, came in second in the State Controller’s data with total pay of $708,000 in 2018, although he also retired that year.
Sabrina Landreth, Oakland’s city administrator, took home $432,964 in total pay in 2018. San Francisco, which is not included in the state controllers’s database, paid city administrator Naomi Kelly $371,822 in total compensation in 2018, according to the website Transparent California.
City managers from Alameda, Palo Alto, Sunnyvale and Fremont were among the top five for total compensation in the Bay Area.


mercurynews--2020-01-29--Dusty Baker returning to majors to manage Astros

HOUSTON — Former Giants manager Dusty Baker has reached an agreement to be the manager of the Houston Astros , a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press on Wednesday .
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been announced , although it is reportedly a one-year deal .
The 70-year-old Baker became the oldest manager in the big leagues .
He takes over from AJ Hinch , who was fired Jan. 13 just an hour after he was suspended for the season by Major League Baseball for his role in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s hiring was a sign the AL champions wanted to add a veteran presence to a franchise reeling from the dismissal of Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow .
Baker has 22 years of managerial experience , starting in 1993 with the San Francisco Giants .
A three-time National League Manager of the Year , Baker last managed the Washington Nationals , who let him go after a 97-65 season in 2017 .
Since 2018 Baker has served as a special adviser to Giants CEO Larry Baer , working in both the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He regularly attended son Darren ’ s college games at the University of California in Berkeley .
Baker will get a chance to chase his first title as a manager with a team that returns the bulk of its roster from last year that reached the World Series for the second time in three years before losing to the Nationals .
He ’ ll also manage the American League in the All-Star Game on July 14 at Dodger Stadium , where Baker starred as an outfielder from 1976-83 .
His hiring is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history of the Astros , who hired Hinch when he was just 41 .
Baker takes over a team that should be a favorite to contend again after winning 100-plus games in three straight seasons .
But it will also be a challenge for a man who hasn ’ t managed for two seasons and will have to deal with the fallout from the sign-stealing saga that is certain to cast a pall over Houston ’ s quest to return to the World Series .
Astros owner Jim Crane had indicated at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking for someone like Baker to bring stability to the team after the shakeup at the top .
“ Someone mature that can handle the group , ” he said then .
“ Someone that ’ s had a little bit of experience in some areas .
We ’ ve just got to find a leader that can handle some pressure and there ’ s going to be a little bit of pressure from where this team has been in the last few months.
” The Astros haven ’ t made any changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his dismissal and Crane said a couple of weeks ago that the new manager could make some changes , but that he expected the bulk of the staff to remain in place .
If they retain pitching coach Brent Strom , the league ’ s oldest manager will have a fellow septuagenarian on his staff in the 71-year-old , who has worked for the Astros since 2014 .
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred disciplined the Astros after he found the team broke rules by using electronics to steal signs during its run to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2018 season .
The Astros were fined $ 5 million , the maximum allowed under the Major League Constitution , and forfeited their next two first- and second-round amateur draft picks .
The investigation found that the Astros used the video feed from a center field camera to view and decode opposing catcher ’ s signs .
Players banged on a trash can to signal to batters what was coming , believing it would improve chances of getting a hit .
The penalties left Houston scrambling to find a manager with spring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baker has compiled a 1,863-1,636 regular season record in a career where he spent 10 years with the Giants , four years with the Chicago Cubs and six seasons with the Cincinnati Reds before his two-year stint with the Nationals .
Baker had a 19-year major league career as an outfielder and was a two-time All-Star .
He began his career with Atlanta and played for the Los Angeles Dodgers , Oakland and San Francisco .
He was selected MVP of the 1977 NL Championship Series and won a Gold Glove in 1981 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a World Series title .
• Pablo Sandoval will be back with San Francisco Giants in 2020 • Report : Giants sign veteran infielder who has second base job in sights • Former Giants manager Dusty Baker has another shot to pad Hall of Fame résumé • Nick Castellanos signs with Reds , so where do the Giants go from here ?
• Report : Giants sign outfielder who thrived in Korea to minor league deal He was voted Manager of the Year in his first season with San Francisco in 1993 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 103-59 record .
He won the award again in 1997 and 2000 with the Giants , and led San Francisco to the 2002 World Series , a seven-game loss to the Anaheim Angels .

HOUSTON — Former Giants manager Dusty Baker has reached an agreement to be the manager of the Houston Astros, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been announced, although it is reportedly a one-year deal.
The 70-year-old Baker became the oldest manager in the big leagues. He takes over from AJ Hinch, who was fired Jan. 13 just an hour after he was suspended for the season by Major League Baseball for his role in Houston’s sign-stealing scandal.
Baker’s hiring was a sign the AL champions wanted to add a veteran presence to a franchise reeling from the dismissal of Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow. Baker has 22 years of managerial experience, starting in 1993 with the San Francisco Giants.
A three-time National League Manager of the Year, Baker last managed the Washington Nationals, who let him go after a 97-65 season in 2017.
Since 2018 Baker has served as a special adviser to Giants CEO Larry Baer, working in both the baseball and business operations of the club. He regularly attended son Darren’s college games at the University of California in Berkeley.
Baker will get a chance to chase his first title as a manager with a team that returns the bulk of its roster from last year that reached the World Series for the second time in three years before losing to the Nationals. He’ll also manage the American League in the All-Star Game on July 14 at Dodger Stadium, where Baker starred as an outfielder from 1976-83.
His hiring is a stark departure from the youth-oriented recent history of the Astros, who hired Hinch when he was just 41. Baker takes over a team that should be a favorite to contend again after winning 100-plus games in three straight seasons.
But it will also be a challenge for a man who hasn’t managed for two seasons and will have to deal with the fallout from the sign-stealing saga that is certain to cast a pall over Houston’s quest to return to the World Series.
Astros owner Jim Crane had indicated at the beginning of the search that he was looking for someone like Baker to bring stability to the team after the shakeup at the top.
“Someone mature that can handle the group,” he said then. “Someone that’s had a little bit of experience in some areas. We’ve just got to find a leader that can handle some pressure and there’s going to be a little bit of pressure from where this team has been in the last few months.”
The Astros haven’t made any changes to Hinch’s coaching staff since his dismissal and Crane said a couple of weeks ago that the new manager could make some changes, but that he expected the bulk of the staff to remain in place.
If they retain pitching coach Brent Strom, the league’s oldest manager will have a fellow septuagenarian on his staff in the 71-year-old, who has worked for the Astros since 2014.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred disciplined the Astros after he found the team broke rules by using electronics to steal signs during its run to the 2017 World Series championship and again in the 2018 season.
The Astros were fined $5 million, the maximum allowed under the Major League Constitution, and forfeited their next two first- and second-round amateur draft picks.
The investigation found that the Astros used the video feed from a center field camera to view and decode opposing catcher’s signs. Players banged on a trash can to signal to batters what was coming, believing it would improve chances of getting a hit.
The penalties left Houston scrambling to find a manager with spring training less than a month away.
Baker has compiled a 1,863-1,636 regular season record in a career where he spent 10 years with the Giants, four years with the Chicago Cubs and six seasons with the Cincinnati Reds before his two-year stint with the Nationals.
Baker had a 19-year major league career as an outfielder and was a two-time All-Star. He began his career with Atlanta and played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Oakland and San Francisco. He was selected MVP of the 1977 NL Championship Series and won a Gold Glove in 1981, when he helped the Dodgers to a World Series title. Related Articles San Francisco Giants | SF Giants get the best of former reliever Littell to beat Rays
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He was voted Manager of the Year in his first season with San Francisco in 1993, when he helped the Giants to a 103-59 record. He won the award again in 1997 and 2000 with the Giants, and led San Francisco to the 2002 World Series, a seven-game loss to the Anaheim Angels.


mercurynews--2020-01-29--UPS, Waymo teaming up on driverless transportation

Waymo is teaming up with UPS to test the use of its self-driving vans in transporting packages .
Waymo , the self-driving arm of Google ’ s parent company Alphabet , will use its autonomous Chrysler Pacifica minivans to bring packages from UPS stores in the Phoenix area to a UPS sorting facility in Tempe , Arizona .
( It will not be delivering packages to customers ’ doorsteps . )
The tests will begin in the coming weeks and last for several months .
Waymo will have a driver on board to monitor the vehicle and take control of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Waymo declined to disclose any financial details of the partnership , other than to say Waymo will be paid .
They also did not disclose how many packages would be shipped during the testing period .
As rival Amazon continues to build out its own cutting-edge logistics network , UPS and FedEx have increasingly embraced new delivery technologies , such as self-driving cars , drones and delivery robots .
As with any adoption of automated technologies , questions about job losses arise .
A UPS spokesperson said that the company values its employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to its human workers .
Bala Ganesh , who leads the UPS advanced technologies group , told CNN Business that using a Waymo van will be more efficient than using a traditional human-driven UPS truck .
The Waymo self-driving vans may sit idle for extended periods of time between trips at the UPS facilities , which is an unproductive use of drivers ’ time , he said .
Since it was first launched as Google ’ s self-driving car project in 2009 , Waymo has been largely focused on transporting people .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which provides another business opportunity and perhaps a faster path to market .
It ’ s easier to move a box than a human being .
By carrying packages there ’ s no ethical dilemma about whether to program the car to prioritize the safety of a human passenger over a pedestrian , for example .
Waymo began delivering car parts between the Phoenix branches of auto retailer AutoNation a few months ago .
It ’ s also using its self-driving software on long-haul trucks , including in New Mexico and Texas .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ its deadlines as it struggles to build safe vehicles and gain the approval of regulators .
The software and hardware powering an autonomous vehicle is also extremely complex .
Waymo is widely seen as the self-driving company with the most advanced technology .
It currently operates a limited self-driving ride service in the Phoenix area that has given more than 100,000 rides since 2017 .
“ Waymo provides a beacon of autonomous progress and capability , ” said Tasha Keeney , who analyzes autonomous vehicles at the investment firm Ark Invest .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

By Matt McFarland | CNN
Waymo is teaming up with UPS to test the use of its self-driving vans in transporting packages.
Waymo, the self-driving arm of Google’s parent company Alphabet, will use its autonomous Chrysler Pacifica minivans to bring packages from UPS stores in the Phoenix area to a UPS sorting facility in Tempe, Arizona. (It will not be delivering packages to customers’ doorsteps.) The tests will begin in the coming weeks and last for several months. Waymo will have a driver on board to monitor the vehicle and take control of the van if needed.
UPS and Waymo declined to disclose any financial details of the partnership, other than to say Waymo will be paid. They also did not disclose how many packages would be shipped during the testing period.
As rival Amazon continues to build out its own cutting-edge logistics network, UPS and FedEx have increasingly embraced new delivery technologies, such as self-driving cars, drones and delivery robots.
As with any adoption of automated technologies, questions about job losses arise. A UPS spokesperson said that the company values its employees and views autonomous technologies as a complement to its human workers.
Bala Ganesh, who leads the UPS advanced technologies group, told CNN Business that using a Waymo van will be more efficient than using a traditional human-driven UPS truck. The Waymo self-driving vans may sit idle for extended periods of time between trips at the UPS facilities, which is an unproductive use of drivers’ time, he said.
Since it was first launched as Google’s self-driving car project in 2009, Waymo has been largely focused on transporting people. But it has recently branched into deliveries, which provides another business opportunity and perhaps a faster path to market. It’s easier to move a box than a human being. By carrying packages there’s no ethical dilemma about whether to program the car to prioritize the safety of a human passenger over a pedestrian, for example.
Waymo began delivering car parts between the Phoenix branches of auto retailer AutoNation a few months ago. It’s also using its self-driving software on long-haul trucks, including in New Mexico and Texas.
Generally, the self-driving industry has missed its deadlines as it struggles to build safe vehicles and gain the approval of regulators. The software and hardware powering an autonomous vehicle is also extremely complex.
Waymo is widely seen as the self-driving company with the most advanced technology. It currently operates a limited self-driving ride service in the Phoenix area that has given more than 100,000 rides since 2017.
“Waymo provides a beacon of autonomous progress and capability,” said Tasha Keeney, who analyzes autonomous vehicles at the investment firm Ark Invest. “They show that technological progress is possible.”


mercurynews--2020-01-29--Super Bowl ad sneak peek: Raiders’ Josh Jacobs stars for Kia

The Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders may not have come close to playing in the Super Bowl .
But one of their players will be starring in a commercial during the big game on Sunday .
Running back Josh Jacobs , who enjoyed a sensational rookie season in Oakland , is the focal point of an inspirational ad for Kia .
In the spot , Jacobs , who spent part of his youth homeless and living in a car in Tulsa , Okla. , ponders what kind of advice he would impart to his “ younger self ” if given the opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he tells a small boy that “ you got ta believe in yourself ” and to “ be tougher than the world around you.
” Then he pulls up to a football stadium and tells the youngster , “ That ’ s your proving ground .
Push yourself to be someone .
And I promise someday you will be.
” Jacobs is the favorite to win the NFL ’ s Offensive Rookie of the Year honors .
You can check out the powerful ad , titled “ Tough Never Quits , ” @ @ @

Related Articles Raiders | Super Bowl ad sneak peek: Google spot will melt your heart The Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders may not have come close to playing in the Super Bowl. But one of their players will be starring in a commercial during the big game on Sunday.
Running back Josh Jacobs, who enjoyed a sensational rookie season in Oakland, is the focal point of an inspirational ad for Kia. In the spot, Jacobs, who spent part of his youth homeless and living in a car in Tulsa, Okla., ponders what kind of advice he would impart to his “younger self” if given the opportunity.
As Jacobs cruises through his hometown, he tells a small boy that “you gotta believe in yourself” and to “be tougher than the world around you.” Then he pulls up to a football stadium and tells the youngster, “That’s your proving ground. Push yourself to be someone. And I promise someday you will be.”
Jacobs is the favorite to win the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. You can check out the powerful ad, titled “Tough Never Quits,” posted above.


mercurynews--2020-01-30--Letter: Will no one remind Trump about checks, balances?

Will no one remind Trump about checks , balances ?
The Teflon Don .
I once believed this moniker applied @ @ @ @ @ recently it has occurred to me that it fits our current president to a tee @ @ @ @ @ of indecent , illegal or self-serving acts this president perpetrates , there are no consequences @ @ @ @ @ has thumbed his nose at the Constitution , while surrounding himself with sycophants who enable @ @ @ @ @ path toward becoming a despot .
Is there no one who will stand up and @ @ @ @ @ Fathers installed a system of checks and balances in order to prevent just this kind @ @ @ @ @ • Letter : Will future kids thrill to fish or a lifeless Willow Glen Trestle @ @ @ @ @ , including voters , seems a bit concerned about losing our precious democracy .
But @ @ @ @ @ , you get a circus .
Submit your letter to the editor via this form @ @ @ @ @ Editor

Will no one remind Trump
about checks, balances?
The Teflon Don. I once believed this moniker applied to John Gotti, but recently it has occurred to me that it fits our current president to a tee.
No matter what type of indecent, illegal or self-serving acts this president perpetrates, there are no consequences to his actions.
He has thumbed his nose at the Constitution, while surrounding himself with sycophants who enable him to continue on his path toward becoming a despot.
Is there no one who will stand up and remind him that our Founding Fathers installed a system of checks and balances in order to prevent just this kind of a power play?
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Todd Marshall
Concord
Submit your letter to the editor via this form
Read more Letters to the Editor


mercurynews--2020-01-30--In Kobe Bryant’s hometown, the grief is palpable

PHILADELPHIA — Along Interstate 95 , heading into the city , there ’ s an electronic billboard bearing a tribute to Kobe Bryant : LEGEND .
1978-2020 .
Houses on the banks of the Delaware River as well as the skyscrapers downtown are trimmed with purple lights — a nod to Bryant ’ s 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers .
From the roof of Larry ’ s Steaks , Bryant ’ s favorite cheesesteak spot , hangs a banner : “ Goodbye Kobe , Gianna Bryant .
You will forever be missed.
” On the steps outside of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ played in the mid-1990s , sat Don Orji , who grew up in this wooded suburb of Philadelphia .
His hand trembled and his pen hovered over a card he would add to a memorial at the school .
How could he put into words what Bryant meant to him ?
As the world tries to reconcile that Bryant is gone , dead at 41 , in a helicopter crash that claimed eight others , including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna , a community mourns where the basketball legend began .
Bryant Gymnasium , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school that was dedicated in 2010 , is now the site of a memorial to which Orji and others have come to pay their respects .
Bryant ’ s formative years were spent in Italy and he found celebrity by winning five championships in Los Angeles .
But it was at Lower Merion that his basketball career began .
At 39 , Orji would have been in junior high when Bryant started high school .
“ If you were a basketball fan , you started hearing things about this local kid in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So yeah , we knew about him.
” In 1996 , Bryant led the Lower Merion Aces to the Pennsylvania state championship for the first time in 53 years .
Months later , he was in the NBA , the 13th pick in the draft at 17 years old .
Tuesday , the Warriors and 76ers played the first NBA game in Bryant ’ s hometown since his death .
It began with a video of his final visit here as a player — Dec. 1 , 2015 – , the final time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowd .
His jersey from Lower Merion , No .
33 , was proudly displayed at center court .
There were 33 seconds of silence .
At Bryant Gymnasium , a No .
33 jersey is stuffed into a collection of inscribed basketballs , purple flowers and worn sneakers .
On one pair is written , “ Legends never die… Mamba forever.
” A card reads , “ You ’ ve inspired millions like me to commit every second to excellence.
” A basketball carries these handwritten words : “ You were a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area.
” Bryant took pride in his blue-collar Pennsylvania roots even after becoming a global icon .
Ronald Jennings , 68 , used to live near the school but now he lives in Westchester , New York .
He took a two-hour bus ride to be here .
When he arrived , he dropped to his knees and prayed amid the bustle of students leaving the building at the end of the school day .
Tears welled in Jennings ’ eyes .
“ He made a name for this area , ” Jennings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of starting here , at Lower Merion High School , playing ball , he knew it was his career .
He knew it was what he was going to do.
” • ‘ So many jewels ’ : D ’ Angelo Russell reflects on what he learned in one season with Kobe Bryant • Kobe Bryant could have joined Warriors , like his dad briefly did • Like Kobe Bryant , more Bay Area commuters turn to helicopters at SFO Next to the bouquet of flowers Jennings left at the memorial was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoodie .
This was for Gianna , Kobe ’ s 13-year-old daughter who also perished in the crash .
She planned to play college basketball at UConn .
Like her dad , she was a prodigy .
• ‘ So many jewels ’ : D ’ Angelo Russell reflects on what he learned in one season with Kobe Bryant • Kobe Bryant could have joined Warriors , like his dad briefly did • Warriors ’ Alec Burks changes his uniform number in honor of Kobe Bryant • Warriors lose to Sixers in first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bryant ’ s death At first , there were 33 basketballs outside Bryant Gymnasium , now there are nearly 100 .
One reads : “ R.I.P .
Kobe and R.I.P Gigi.
” Another has “ Mamba and Mambacita ” painted in purple and gold .
Tariek Warren and Nicholas Gaines , both 22 , came from New Jersey , making a 45-minute drive and crossing over the purple jellybean-colored Ben Franklin Bridge along the way .
Warren was wearing a No .
24 T-shirt and Gaines wore a No .
33 Aces jersey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stomach , ” Warren said after seeing the memorial .
Gaines choked back tears as he talked about his favorite player .
“ He just means so much to me , so much to my life .
He ’ s the reason I fell in love with the game of basketball .
So I ’ m out here today to show some respect.
” On the steps , Orji rose to his feet .
It had been almost 30 minutes , but he had found the words he wanted to put in that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soars to the highest of the heavens .
I pray the hurt your friends and family feel is eased with time , ” he wrote .
“ Watch over us Mamba .
”

PHILADELPHIA — Along Interstate 95, heading into the city, there’s an electronic billboard bearing a tribute to Kobe Bryant: LEGEND. 1978-2020.
Houses on the banks of the Delaware River as well as the skyscrapers downtown are trimmed with purple lights — a nod to Bryant’s 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers. From the roof of Larry’s Steaks, Bryant’s favorite cheesesteak spot, hangs a banner: “Goodbye Kobe, Gianna Bryant. You will forever be missed.”
On the steps outside of Lower Merion High School, where Bryant played in the mid-1990s, sat Don Orji, who grew up in this wooded suburb of Philadelphia. His hand trembled and his pen hovered over a card he would add to a memorial at the school. How could he put into words what Bryant meant to him?
As the world tries to reconcile that Bryant is gone, dead at 41, in a helicopter crash that claimed eight others, including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, a community mourns where the basketball legend began. Bryant Gymnasium, the athletic center he funded for the school that was dedicated in 2010, is now the site of a memorial to which Orji and others have come to pay their respects.
Bryant’s formative years were spent in Italy and he found celebrity by winning five championships in Los Angeles. But it was at Lower Merion that his basketball career began. At 39, Orji would have been in junior high when Bryant started high school.
“If you were a basketball fan, you started hearing things about this local kid in the area,” Orji said. “So yeah, we knew about him.”
In 1996, Bryant led the Lower Merion Aces to the Pennsylvania state championship for the first time in 53 years. Months later, he was in the NBA, the 13th pick in the draft at 17 years old.
Tuesday, the Warriors and 76ers played the first NBA game in Bryant’s hometown since his death. It began with a video of his final visit here as a player (Dec. 1, 2015), the final time he would be introduced to his hometown crowd. His jersey from Lower Merion, No. 33, was proudly displayed at center court. There were 33 seconds of silence.
At Bryant Gymnasium, a No. 33 jersey is stuffed into a collection of inscribed basketballs, purple flowers and worn sneakers. On one pair is written, “Legends never die… Mamba forever.” A card reads, “You’ve inspired millions like me to commit every second to excellence.” A basketball carries these handwritten words: “You were a legend to us growing up in the area.”
Bryant took pride in his blue-collar Pennsylvania roots even after becoming a global icon. Ronald Jennings, 68, used to live near the school but now he lives in Westchester, New York. He took a two-hour bus ride to be here.
When he arrived, he dropped to his knees and prayed amid the bustle of students leaving the building at the end of the school day. Tears welled in Jennings’ eyes.
“He made a name for this area,” Jennings said. “To have that recognition of starting here, at Lower Merion High School, playing ball, he knew it was his career. He knew it was what he was going to do.”
Next to the bouquet of flowers Jennings left at the memorial was a teddy bear wearing a University of Connecticut hoodie. This was for Gianna, Kobe’s 13-year-old daughter who also perished in the crash. She planned to play college basketball at UConn. Like her dad, she was a prodigy.
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Report: Bob Myers returning to NBA in a different role Golden State Warriors | Warriors to face Suns on NBA Opening Night, per report At first, there were 33 basketballs outside Bryant Gymnasium, now there are nearly 100. One reads: “R.I.P. Kobe and R.I.P Gigi.” Another has “Mamba and Mambacita” painted in purple and gold.
Tariek Warren and Nicholas Gaines, both 22, came from New Jersey, making a 45-minute drive and crossing over the purple jellybean-colored Ben Franklin Bridge along the way. Warren was wearing a No. 24 T-shirt and Gaines wore a No. 33 Aces jersey.
“My heart was in my stomach,” Warren said after seeing the memorial.
Gaines choked back tears as he talked about his favorite player. “He just means so much to me, so much to my life. He’s the reason I fell in love with the game of basketball. So I’m out here today to show some respect.”
On the steps, Orji rose to his feet. It had been almost 30 minutes, but he had found the words he wanted to put in that card.
“I pray your spirit soars to the highest of the heavens. I pray the hurt your friends and family feel is eased with time,” he wrote. “Watch over us Mamba.”


mercurynews--2020-01-30--Letter: Saratoga’s Rishi Kumar gets things done

In the upcoming congressional election , the voters of the 18th District are fortunate to have a real choice : @ @ @ @ @ Rishi gets things done .
While serving on the Saratoga City Council , Rishi has @ @ @ @ @ stop repeated attempts by San Jose Water Company to impose rate increases on ratepayers .
@ @ @ @ @ skills to curb outrageous price increases by big pharmaceutical companies .
Unlike his opponent , @ @ @ @ @ NOT accept contributions from big pharma or any other special interest .
The people of @ @ @ @ @ Letter : Will future kids thrill to fish or a lifeless Willow Glen Trestle ?
@ @ @ @ @ for the one clear choice on March 3 : Rishi Kumar .
Submit your letter @ @ @ @ @ form Read more Letters to the Editor

Saratoga’s Rishi Kumar
gets things done
In the upcoming congressional election, the voters of the 18th District are fortunate to have a real choice: Rishi Kumar of Saratoga.
Rishi gets things done. While serving on the Saratoga City Council, Rishi has successfully led the effort to stop repeated attempts by San Jose Water Company to impose rate increases on ratepayers. He will apply the same skills to curb outrageous price increases by big pharmaceutical companies.
Unlike his opponent, Anna Eshoo, Rishi does NOT accept contributions from big pharma or any other special interest.
The people of Saratoga love him.
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Letters: Insulate wires | CDE was wrong | Functional Chromebooks | Trump’s ego | Healthy debate | A new path Letters to the Editor | Letters: Local solar | Titan resources | Activism helps Please join me in voting for the one clear choice on March 3: Rishi Kumar.
Stan Bogosian
Former Mayor
City of Saratoga
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Bridge: Jan. 30, 2020

“ Being a husband is like being a weatherman , ” a club player sighed to me .
“ You can be wrong 80 percent of the time and keep your job.
” “ Sounds as if your wife is unhappy with you , ” I said .
“ Everything is great , ” he shrugged , “ except when we play bridge.
” My friend was today ’ s East ; his wife led the deuce of clubs against four hearts .
“ Dummy played low , ” he told me , “ and I took the queen and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For want of anything better , or so I thought , I led the eight of trumps : ten , queen .
Declarer won my wife ’ s club return in dummy , led a second trump and claimed when my king appeared .
My wife said I ’ d booted another deal.
” On the bidding , East ’ s only hope is to win two trump tricks .
At Trick Three , he must lead a third club to dummy .
South will lead a trump to his jack next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leads her last club .
East ruffs with his king of trumps , and South must overruff with the ace , promoting West ’ s nine for the setting trick .
You hold : S Q 9 8 3 2 H K 8 D 8 4 2 C A Q 6 .
Your partner opens one heart , you bid one spade and he rebids two hearts .
The opponents pass .
What do you say ?
ANSWER : Your partner has minimum opening values but suggests six or more hearts .
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a five-card heart suit over your one spade . )
Hence a pass would be timid.To bid 2NT is unappealing with no diamond strength , but you can raise to three hearts .

“Being a husband is like being a weatherman,” a club player sighed to me. “You can be wrong 80 percent of the time and keep your job.”
“Sounds as if your wife is unhappy with you,” I said.
“Everything is great,” he shrugged, “except when we play bridge.”
My friend was today’s East; his wife led the deuce of clubs against four hearts.
“Dummy played low,” he told me, “and I took the queen and ace, dropping declarer’s ten. For want of anything better, or so I thought, I led the eight of trumps: ten, queen. Declarer won my wife’s club return in dummy, led a second trump and claimed when my king appeared. My wife said I’d booted another deal.”
ONLY HOPE
On the bidding, East’s only hope is to win two trump tricks. At Trick Three, he must lead a third club to dummy.
South will lead a trump to his jack next, and when West wins, she leads her last club. East ruffs with his king of trumps, and South must overruff with the ace, promoting West’s nine for the setting trick.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S Q 9 8 3 2 H K 8 D 8 4 2 C A Q 6. Your partner opens one heart, you bid one spade and he rebids two hearts. The opponents pass. What do you say?
ANSWER: Your partner has minimum opening values but suggests six or more hearts. (He would never be compelled to rebid a five-card heart suit over your one spade.) Hence a pass would be timid.To bid 2NT is unappealing with no diamond strength, but you can raise to three hearts.
North dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S A K 7
H 6 5 3
D A Q 6
C K 9 7 3
WEST
S 10 6 5 4
H Q 9 2
D 7 3
C J 8 4 2
EAST
S Q 9 8 3 2
H K 8
D 8 4 2
C A Q 6
SOUTH
S J
H A J 10 7 4
D K J 10 9 5
C 10 5
North East South West
1 NT Pass 3 H Pass
3 NT Pass 4 D Pass
4 H All Pass
Opening lead — C 2
(C)2020 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


Word Game: Jan. 30, 2020

Can you find 31 or more words in SYLLOGISM ?
The list will be published tomorrow .
To purchase the @ @ @ @ @ WordGameBooks.com .
Order it now for just $ 5 while supplies last !
1 .
@ @ @ @ @ or more letters .
2 .
Words that acquire four letters by the addition of @ @ @ @ @ as “ bats ” or “ dies , ” are not allowed .
3 .
@ @ @ @ @ a “ d ” or an “ s ” may not be used .
For @ @ @ @ @ ” is used , “ baked ” or “ bakes ” are not allowed , @ @ @ @ @ “ baking ” are admissible .
4 .
Proper nouns , slang words , or @ @ @ @ @ are not allowed .

TODAY’S WORD — SYLLOGISM (SYLLOGISM: SIL-uh-jiz-em: A subtle or specious piece of reasoning.)
Average mark 20 words
Time limit 35 minutes
Can you find 31 or more words in SYLLOGISM? The list will be published tomorrow.
YESTERDAY’S WORD — PETUNIA pain paint pane pant pantie pate
paten peanut peat pent pieta pine pint pita punt etui tape taupe tine
tinea tuna tune unapt unit unite untie nape neap neat inapt inept input
ante anti aunt
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--2020-01-30--Horoscopes Jan. 30, 2020: Christian Bale doesn’t have to please anyone else

Happy Birthday : Consider your limitations as well as your attributes in order to maintain balance .
Decline if someone imposes too much and offers too little .
Concentrate on what ’ s important to you , not how to please everyone else .
This year is not the time to take a risk emotionally , financially or physically .
Plan your actions , choose your words wisely and do what ’ s best for you .
Your numbers are 2 , 13 , 20 , 24 , 28 , 37 , 44 .
ARIES ( March 21-April 19 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can cause you grief depending on how you handle situations .
If you overreact , expect to pay the price .
However , if you focus on opportunities and where to channel your energy , you will gain ground .
3 stars TAURUS ( April 20-May 20 ) : If you want a change , make it happen .
It ’ s up to you to execute your plans , not someone else .
Invest in your skills , knowledge and ideas .
Opportunity begins with you .
Think big , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stars GEMINI ( May 21-June 20 ) : Offer help , information and connections .
Get together with people you have worked with in the past ; a new opportunity will arise .
Look for the good in everyone , but don ’ t give someone a second chance to hurt you .
4 stars CANCER ( June 21-July 22 ) : Look for the positive in everyone and everything .
Refuse to let emotional matters get in your way .
Concentrate on what you want to transpire , and do your best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life if handled correctly .
Romance is featured .
2 stars LEO ( July 23-Aug. 22 ) : A short trip will encourage you to pay closer attention to the people around you .
A change someone makes will affect you more than you expect .
Take care of your responsibilities .
Be cautious with money , possessions and your physical well-being .
5 stars VIRGO ( Aug. 23-Sept. 22 ) : A change will perk you up .
What you learn will convince you to expand your knowledge , skills and friendships @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll discover that you have more options than you realize .
Romance is on the rise .
3 stars LIBRA ( Sept. 23-Oct. 22 ) : Emotional matters will surface if you have been putting up with situations that are less than adequate .
Don ’ t let anger set in when an intelligent solution will do the trick .
Do your best to get along with everyone .
3 stars SCORPIO ( Oct. 23-Nov. 21 ) : Leisure time spent with someone you love or doing something that brings you great satisfaction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yourself from situations that are only going to upset you or stop you from fulfilling your dream .
Romance is in the stars .
3 stars SAGITTARIUS ( Nov. 22-Dec. 21 ) : Take care of your responsibilities .
Set your house in order , and take care of relationships that matter to you .
How you treat others will reflect who you are .
If someone treats you poorly , don ’ t let him or her get away with their actions .
5 stars CAPRICORN ( Dec. 22-Jan. 19 ) : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Don ’ t let an emotional situation escalate into something unmanageable .
Let your intuition guide you , and keep your temper under control .
A change you make to the way you live should be well-thought-out before executed .
2 stars AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18 ) : Think before you make a move or spend a penny .
Give yourself time to assess the situation , and consider what ’ s doable .
Use your intelligence to avoid a costly mistake or an argument with someone you love .
4 stars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You can offer your help , but don ’ t let anyone take advantage of you .
Offer what ’ s doable and will benefit you as well .
Someone you ’ ve worked with before will offer an alternative .
Focus on peace and love .
3 stars Birthday Baby : You are creative , opinionated and spontaneous .
You are fun-loving and carefree .

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Wilmer Valderrama, 40; Christian Bale, 46; Phil Collins, 69; Charles S. Dutton, 69.
Happy Birthday: Consider your limitations as well as your attributes in order to maintain balance. Decline if someone imposes too much and offers too little. Concentrate on what’s important to you, not how to please everyone else. This year is not the time to take a risk emotionally, financially or physically. Plan your actions, choose your words wisely and do what’s best for you. Your numbers are 2, 13, 20, 24, 28, 37, 44.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Emotions can help you, or they can cause you grief depending on how you handle situations. If you overreact, expect to pay the price. However, if you focus on opportunities and where to channel your energy, you will gain ground. 3 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): If you want a change, make it happen. It’s up to you to execute your plans, not someone else. Invest in your skills, knowledge and ideas. Opportunity begins with you. Think big, and expand your search for success. 3 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Offer help, information and connections. Get together with people you have worked with in the past; a new opportunity will arise. Look for the good in everyone, but don’t give someone a second chance to hurt you. 4 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Look for the positive in everyone and everything. Refuse to let emotional matters get in your way. Concentrate on what you want to transpire, and do your best. A creative idea can change your life if handled correctly. Romance is featured. 2 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): A short trip will encourage you to pay closer attention to the people around you. A change someone makes will affect you more than you expect. Take care of your responsibilities. Be cautious with money, possessions and your physical well-being. 5 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): A change will perk you up. What you learn will convince you to expand your knowledge, skills and friendships. Participate more, and you’ll discover that you have more options than you realize. Romance is on the rise. 3 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Emotional matters will surface if you have been putting up with situations that are less than adequate. Don’t let anger set in when an intelligent solution will do the trick. Do your best to get along with everyone. 3 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Leisure time spent with someone you love or doing something that brings you great satisfaction or joy should take priority. Distance yourself from situations that are only going to upset you or stop you from fulfilling your dream. Romance is in the stars. 3 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Take care of your responsibilities. Set your house in order, and take care of relationships that matter to you. How you treat others will reflect who you are. If someone treats you poorly, don’t let him or her get away with their actions. 5 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Be careful how you treat others. Don’t let an emotional situation escalate into something unmanageable. Let your intuition guide you, and keep your temper under control. A change you make to the way you live should be well-thought-out before executed. 2 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Think before you make a move or spend a penny. Give yourself time to assess the situation, and consider what’s doable. Use your intelligence to avoid a costly mistake or an argument with someone you love. 4 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You can offer your help, but don’t let anyone take advantage of you. Offer what’s doable and will benefit you as well. Someone you’ve worked with before will offer an alternative. Focus on peace and love. 3 stars
Birthday Baby: You are creative, opinionated and spontaneous. You are fun-loving and carefree.
Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.


mercurynews--2020-01-30--Ask Amy: Fat mom makes her teen run stairs and log calories

I totally resented my parents ’ fat-shaming when I was growing up .
( Oddly , I was tall and underweight at the time . )
I went to the gym every day as a young adult and could never please my parents .
I resented every comment from my parents about weight gain .
Now I am a boomer on the high end of BMI and “ overweight.
” My doctor told me my bloodwork is great , to relax , and not to diet .
Now I see the point my parents tried to make .
I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ website to be aware that beef brisket has a ton more calories than fish .
• Ask Amy : My friend threatened to report me to the boss • Ask Amy : This great guy tried to kill himself .
Do I pretend I don ’ t know ?
• Ask Amy : We ’ re the same age but she treats me like a child • Ask Amy : She says she gets to pick where I ’ ll die • Ask Amy : I ’ m still upset by my houseguests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the stairs in our house ( one flight ) and do two minutes of cardio .
I am teaching him not to be sedentary .
I have this bad , looming , horrible , guilty feeling about this health education , because of how my parents treated me .
Is it OK to get my son to log meals and learn about calories , good and bad fats , etc.
?
He gladly jumps up to exercise , but he isn ’ t too interested in learning about calories and nutrition .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just hope he doesn ’ t feel like I ’ m fat shaming .
What do you think ?
DEAR MOM : Your son is old enough that , rather than “ make ” him log meals and run up the stairs , you could engage him more fully in a healthy eating program at home .
Learning to cook will equip him for when he leaves .
Start with asking him to chop vegetables for the family salads .
Move on to making omelets , fajitas , and breads ( which are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between “ whole ” foods and processed foods will help him to make basic informed choices about his own eating .
But should you force him to log his eating , with you watching over his shoulder ?
I don ’ t think you should .
Be honest with your son about how your parents treated you , and how you felt about it .
Tell him you want to pass along a healthier message .
He will be out of the house soon and on his own .
If he feels knowledgeable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his own choices , he ’ ll be prepared for the ramen years .
( And , by the way , there are times when a good brisket is totally worth its weight in calories . )
Your son might like trying recipes from “ The I Don ’ t Know How to Cook Book : 300 Great Recipes You Can ’ t Mess Up !
” by Mary-Lane Kamberg ( 2015 , Adams Media ) .
DEAR AMY : My nearly 30-year-old daughter has developed some poor social habits and I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offer advice or let her continue down this path .
She wears old , worn-out clothes and has poor eating habits , including eating very fast , taking huge bites of food , using her fingers to eat , and slurping her drinks .
She is bright , beautiful , kind , and has launched her career .
She is independent .
I obviously dropped the ball when raising her to correct these habits early on , and now find myself being embarrassed to eat with her .
Is it appropriate as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
We talk very carefully about these topics and she says she is expressing her own “ style ” in dressing and has acknowledged wanting to slow down the speed of her eating , but there have not been any improvements .
Do I stay out of this or do I gently insert myself ?
DEAR JUDGMENTAL : No , you should not comment on your daughter ’ s style of dress .
She likely sees a mirror each day and is making choices .
However , I do think you should continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
None of us eats in front of a mirror .
She says she is working on some of her habits .
If a parent can ’ t occasionally act as a “ reflection , ” in a nonjudgmental but concerned way , then no one can .
DEAR AMY : I did not like your answer to “ Worried , ” who was saddled with horrible stepchildren .
You asked her , “ Where ’ s your empathy ?
” Why did you support these awful , rude young adults over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HORRIFIED : “ Worried ” had been in the lives of these young adults for almost 10 years .
I suggested that she reflect on the role she might have had in how they turned out , and that more compassion ( and less harsh judgment ) might yield a better result .
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: I’m a comfortably retired mom with a 17-year-old son.
I totally resented my parents’ fat-shaming when I was growing up. (Oddly, I was tall and underweight at the time.) I went to the gym every day as a young adult and could never please my parents. I resented every comment from my parents about weight gain.
Now I am a boomer on the high end of BMI and “overweight.” My doctor told me my bloodwork is great, to relax, and not to diet.
Now I see the point my parents tried to make. I am making my son log calories on a website to be aware that beef brisket has a ton more calories than fish.
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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 I make him run the stairs in our house (one flight) and do two minutes of cardio. I am teaching him not to be sedentary.
I have this bad, looming, horrible, guilty feeling about this health education, because of how my parents treated me. Is it OK to get my son to log meals and learn about calories, good and bad fats, etc.?
He gladly jumps up to exercise, but he isn’t too interested in learning about calories and nutrition. I compliment him on his looks. I just hope he doesn’t feel like I’m fat shaming.
What do you think?
Concerned Mom
DEAR MOM: Your son is old enough that, rather than “make” him log meals and run up the stairs, you could engage him more fully in a healthy eating program at home. Learning to cook will equip him for when he leaves.
Start with asking him to chop vegetables for the family salads. Move on to making omelets, fajitas, and breads (which are surprisingly fun to make). Distinguishing between “whole” foods and processed foods will help him to make basic informed choices about his own eating. But should you force him to log his eating, with you watching over his shoulder? I don’t think you should.
Be honest with your son about how your parents treated you, and how you felt about it. Tell him you want to pass along a healthier message.
He will be out of the house soon and on his own. If he feels knowledgeable, competent, and in control of his own choices, he’ll be prepared for the ramen years. (And, by the way, there are times when a good brisket is totally worth its weight in calories.)
Your son might like trying recipes from “The I Don’t Know How to Cook Book: 300 Great Recipes You Can’t Mess Up!” by Mary-Lane Kamberg (2015, Adams Media).
DEAR AMY: My nearly 30-year-old daughter has developed some poor social habits and I am not sure if it is appropriate to offer advice or let her continue down this path.
She wears old, worn-out clothes and has poor eating habits, including eating very fast, taking huge bites of food, using her fingers to eat, and slurping her drinks. She is bright, beautiful, kind, and has launched her career. She is independent.
I obviously dropped the ball when raising her to correct these habits early on, and now find myself being embarrassed to eat with her.
Is it appropriate as a parent to insert myself at this point?
We talk very carefully about these topics and she says she is expressing her own “style” in dressing and has acknowledged wanting to slow down the speed of her eating, but there have not been any improvements.
Do I stay out of this or do I gently insert myself?
Judgmental and Concerned Parent
DEAR JUDGMENTAL: No, you should not comment on your daughter’s style of dress. She likely sees a mirror each day and is making choices.
However, I do think you should continue to prompt her about her eating style. None of us eats in front of a mirror. She says she is working on some of her habits. If a parent can’t occasionally act as a “reflection,” in a nonjudgmental but concerned way, then no one can.
Want Ask Amy delivered to your inbox for free on weekdays?
DEAR AMY: I did not like your answer to “Worried,” who was saddled with horrible stepchildren. You asked her, “Where’s your empathy?”
Why did you support these awful, rude young adults over the person they were mean to?
Horrified
DEAR HORRIFIED: “Worried” had been in the lives of these young adults for almost 10 years. I suggested that she reflect on the role she might have had in how they turned out, and that more compassion (and less harsh judgment) might yield a better result.
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--2020-01-30--Letter: Less affordable housing weakens Fremont

I am a millennial homeowner and father of two , and highly support SB 50 .
It is a logical next step towards addressing our housing crisis , while retaining local control over our community character .
My wife and I moved to Fremont in early 2014 and fell in love with the diverse , welcoming community .
However , due to unaffordable housing prices , we are losing that diversity , as young professionals , retirees and working families continue to be priced out .
Consider this : It is becoming increasingly impossible for newcomers to afford a home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more commuters , more traffic and more financial stress .
That also means fewer community volunteers , youth coaches and active PTA parents .
• Letter : Will future kids thrill to fish or a lifeless Willow Glen Trestle ?
I want to raise my children to be responsible , compassionate adults with a strong priority toward civic service .
Please support SB 50 to help us preserve our quality of life and maintain our strong communities .
Submit your letter to the editor via this form Read more Letters to the Editor

Less affordable housing
weakens our community
I am a millennial homeowner and father of two, and highly support SB 50. It is a logical next step towards addressing our housing crisis, while retaining local control over our community character.
My wife and I moved to Fremont in early 2014 and fell in love with the diverse, welcoming community. However, due to unaffordable housing prices, we are losing that diversity, as young professionals, retirees and working families continue to be priced out.
Consider this: It is becoming increasingly impossible for newcomers to afford a home without a dual-income stream. That means more commuters, more traffic and more financial stress. That also means fewer community volunteers, youth coaches and active PTA parents.
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Hayes Shair
Fremont
Submit your letter to the editor via this form
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mercurynews--2020-01-30--Harriette Cole: Our kid’s assigned reading makes us uncomfortable

DEAR HARRIETTE : Seemingly out of the blue , they are reading lots of books about race at my son ’ s school .
Seriously , they have read three books back-to-back about racial injustice .
While I think it is important for the kids to learn about these topics , it is making us uncomfortable .
Not everything is about race , but you would never know from this class .
I don ’ t have the knowledge or time to debate these issues with my son every day .
I ’ m not trying to be rude or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard to make sure that our son is thoughtful and not racist , but we also don ’ t want him to feel super self-conscious about being white .
He shouldn ’ t have to apologize for being himself .
I don ’ t know how to support him as times change .
I do teach him to treat everyone with respect , but does that mean I have to allow him to be exposed to so much conversation about the atrocities of racism ?
DEAR TOO MUCH RACE TALK : I need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hopefully your son is in the perfect place to engage in a conversation that is necessary for healing in our country .
The good news , in my book , is that schools are walking toward the challenge rather than avoiding it .
Perhaps our youth will be able to wrestle issues of diversity , equity and inclusion in respectful , creative ways .
Consider that this is the way you can think about the curriculum he is engaging , rather than as a burden .
I think you should read the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can have informed conversations with him about what he is learning .
Your job as a parent is to guide your child and to help him process whatever information comes before him .
The more you equip yourself with the conversations of the day coupled with your own experience , the better you will be able to help him navigate this extremely challenging reality — that racial injustice is still staring us in the face , and we have to do something about it .
For support , visit courageousconversation.com .
This organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from administrators to students to parents — learn how to talk respectfully and honestly about the realities of race , equity , inclusion and diversity in meaningful ways .
DEAR HARRIETTE : I hired a young woman to work with me this year fresh out of college .
She is smart and personable .
She knows how to do the job for the most part , but she has terrible basic manners .
I am shocked that she doesn ’ t know how to eat using basic utensils .
She doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what ’ s appropriate to wear to a business meeting or a special event after work .
These may seem like small things , but they can make or break a person in their career .
She is sensitive , and I ’ m not sure how to broach the subject .
I want her to succeed , so I think she needs some guidance .
What do you recommend ?
In Need of Etiquette Classes DEAR IN NEED OF ETIQUETTE CLASSES : Invest in this young woman .
If your HR department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , send her to a class that will give her tips on how to present herself in a professional setting .
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS , an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams .
You can send questions to askharriette @ harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication , 1130 Walnut St. , Kansas City , MO 64106 .

DEAR HARRIETTE: Seemingly out of the blue, they are reading lots of books about race at my son’s school. Seriously, they have read three books back-to-back about racial injustice.
While I think it is important for the kids to learn about these topics, it is making us uncomfortable. Not everything is about race, but you would never know from this class. I don’t have the knowledge or time to debate these issues with my son every day.
I’m not trying to be rude or insensitive. My husband and I work hard to make sure that our son is thoughtful and not racist, but we also don’t want him to feel super self-conscious about being white. He shouldn’t have to apologize for being himself.
I don’t know how to support him as times change. I do teach him to treat everyone with respect, but does that mean I have to allow him to be exposed to so much conversation about the atrocities of racism?
Too Much Race Talk
DEAR TOO MUCH RACE TALK: I need to respectfully disagree with you on this. Hopefully your son is in the perfect place to engage in a conversation that is necessary for healing in our country. The good news, in my book, is that schools are walking toward the challenge rather than avoiding it. Perhaps our youth will be able to wrestle issues of diversity, equity and inclusion in respectful, creative ways. Consider that this is the way you can think about the curriculum he is engaging, rather than as a burden.
I think you should read the books, too, so that you can have informed conversations with him about what he is learning. Your job as a parent is to guide your child and to help him process whatever information comes before him. The more you equip yourself with the conversations of the day coupled with your own experience, the better you will be able to help him navigate this extremely challenging reality — that racial injustice is still staring us in the face, and we have to do something about it.
For support, visit courageousconversation.com. This organization is devoted to helping educational institutions — from administrators to students to parents — learn how to talk respectfully and honestly about the realities of race, equity, inclusion and diversity in meaningful ways.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I hired a young woman to work with me this year fresh out of college. She is smart and personable. She knows how to do the job for the most part, but she has terrible basic manners.
I am shocked that she doesn’t know how to eat using basic utensils. She doesn’t have an understanding of professional dress and what’s appropriate to wear to a business meeting or a special event after work. These may seem like small things, but they can make or break a person in their career.
She is sensitive, and I’m not sure how to broach the subject. I want her to succeed, so I think she needs some guidance. What do you recommend?
In Need of Etiquette Classes
DEAR IN NEED OF ETIQUETTE CLASSES: Invest in this young woman. If your HR department does not teach the basics of etiquette, send her to a class that will give her tips on how to present herself in a professional setting.
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.