Daily Republic: Sunday, December 12, 2021

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dailyrepublic.com | Well said. Well read.

Solano braces for big storm, and chance of flooding Daily Republic Staff

drnews@dailyrepublic.net

FAIRFIELD — A storm system that’s moving across much of the region could drop up to 3 inches of rain on parts of Solano County as local communities brace for the deluge.

The National Weather Service projects the storm could bring 1.35 to 2.25 inches of rainfall to Fairfield through Monday with rain continuing Monday night and possibly into Tuesday and Wednesday.

On The Web Vacaville could see Read more from this between 2.1 to 3 inches of story online for safety rainfall through Monday tips from the City of and even more Monday Fairfield and PG&E. night and into early DailyRepublic.com. next week, the weather service reports.

A wind advisory was added into the mix Sunday. It’s in place from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Monday, essentially the height of the storm. The weather service notes that strong winds may cause power outages and down weakened trees and tree branches. Driving could be difficult for high-profile vehicles. The affected areas include Fairfield and Suisun City as well as the Carquinez Strait and the Delta region.

The city of Fairfield this week opened its Public Works Corporation Yard at 420 Gregory St. to people who wanted to fill sandbags in preparation for the storms.

Rockville Hills Regional Park was closed at See Storm, Page A9

Aaron Rosenblatt/Daily Republic

Members of the community play softball in the sunshine before Sunday’s rainstorm during the Kings and Queens of the Diamond Charity Softball Tournament at Allan Witt Park in Fairfield, Saturday.

Fatal Kentucky tornado among series of strikes Tribune Content Agency As a tornado passed over his Kentucky town late Friday, the Rev. Wes Fowler huddled with his wife and three children – ages 12, 8 and 6 – in the basement of the First Baptist Church Mayfield.

“Ceiling tiles were moving up and down and dust filled the room. I basically got my family against a wall in the basement. I laid on top of them. Honestly, we didn’t know if we were going to make it for a few minutes there,” Fowler, 45, said Saturday, sobbing as he stood in the ruins of the church. “… In the moment, all I could think about was covering up my wife and my kids.”

At least 79 people were feared dead – most of them in Kentucky – after a series of tornadoes tore through the Midwest and southeast overnight, according to state and local officials.

On Saturday, President Biden spoke with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, sharing “condolences for the lives lost” and pledging federal assistance.

Beshear told reporters that the tornado touched down for more than 200 miles in Kentucky and may have killed 70 to more than 100 people across 10 or more counties.

About 40 people were rescued in Mayfield, Beshear said at his Saturday briefing, while a search continued for additional victims.

“This has been the most devastating tornado event in our state’s history,” Beshear said. “The level of devastation is unlike anything I have See Tornadoes, Page A9

Aaron Rosenblatt/Daily Republic file (2020)

Firefighters fight a burning house from the Lightning Complex Fire along Pleasants Valley Road in Vacaville, Aug.

Supervisors to consider putting sales tax measure on June ballot Todd R. Hansen

thansen@dailyrepublic.net

FAIRFIELD — The Solano County Board of Supervisors will consider Tuesday putting a oneeighth cent sales tax increase on the June ballot “to generate funds that could be used on a variety of public services” that include wildfire protection.

The increase is expected to generate between $9 million and $10 million a year, the staff report to the board states.

Additionally, the board will conduct a public hearing to consider adding a 2.8% impact fee on new growth for the Cordelia, Dixon, Suisun and Vacaville fire protection districts.

The board meets at 9 a.m. in the first-floor chamber of the government center, 675 Texas St., in Fairfield.

Supervisor Jim Spering called the board action a “starting point” and said all the funds would go toward the varied and complex

issue of wildfire protection.

“It is just a matter of time before we have a big fire when the winds are not in our favor,” Spering said in a phone interview Friday.

Spering He pointed to Paradise and Santa Rosa as recent examples of wildland fires that became urban disasters and noted how close the LNU Lightning Complex Fire got to Vacaville and Fairfield. Residents of both cities had to be evacuated. He said he does not see any area of the county – or any city – that will not benefit from the funds being generated.

“We hope this coming to the board will stimulate this discussion. To me, this is a starting point,” Spering said.

He said he specifically hopes representatives from all the fire districts attend the meeting to weigh in on the discussion.

Supervisor John Vasquez, who sits with Spering on the ad hoc committee that is making the tax measure recommendation, could not be reached for comment.

Choosing to go with a general tax, Spering said, will provide the flexibility needed to use the funds for a variety of wildfire and emergency response needs, which ranges from managing wildland areas, to providing funds for equipment, training and possibly even new stations in strategic response areas.

A general tax also only requires a majority vote to pass, whereas a parcel tax or special tax each requires two-thirds support from the voters.

The county conducted a phone survey Oct. 13-19 that included questions related to a fire protection tax. There were 600 interviews.

The overall margin of error is plus or minus 4%.

“Since last year, there has been a slight increase in the importance of See Tax, Page A9

Supervisors taking on a full slate before starting Christmas break Todd R. Hansen thansen@dailyrepublic.net

FAIRFIELD — The vote on the final census redistricting map and a six-month extension of the Fair Board management agreement do not even rate a discussion at Tuesday’s Solano County Board of Supervisors meeting.

Both are part of a lengthy consent agenda, items on which are typically taken up under a single vote.

That is largely due to several other pressing issues that return to the board when it meets at 9 a.m. in the firstfloor chamber of the county government center, 675 Texas St., in Fairfield.

The supervisors will receive a presentation on the Family Justice Center and consider recommendations from the outside

INDEX Business B12 | Classifieds B10 | Columns B5 | Comics B14 | Crossword B12 | Diversions B1 | Sports A10 | Military B8 | Religion B4 | Opinion A8 WEATHER 49 | 49 Rain most of the day with possible flooding. Five-day local forecast A13.

19, 2020. Supervisors are considering putting a sales tax measure to help fund emergency responses.

consultant, Alliance for HOPE International.

“Meetings with stakeholders and community partners helped the Alliance team learn more about what is working Abrams well and what gaps exist in service delivery at the Solano Family Justice Center,” the report states.

It goes on to list strengths, such as a “robust work and

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a d v o cacy” by the District Attorney’s V i c t i m Witness staff; “wellr espected elder abuse ser vices;” Corsello and the social workers in Family Violence Prevention “work well with survivors” and “are trauma-informed in their approaches.”

The report also

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includes a list of 17 challenges and barriers that exist at the center, including the “lack of funding at all levels within the county;” “there is no understanding of partner roles due to lack of regular partner meetings/ cross-trainings and open transparent team building activities;” “satellite space See Supervisors, Page A9

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A2 Sunday, December 12, 2021 — DAILY REPUBLIC

Hippos test positive for coronavirus in Belgium, the first known cases in species Jennifer Hassan

hippos’ handlers, had not displayed any symptoms and had tested negative for the infection.

The zoo, which is home to more than 5,000 animals, currently operates with a range of measures in place to help stop the spread of the coronavirus - which has claimed at least 27,000 lives in Belgium.

Visitors must wear a face covering, abide by social distancing measures and all animal demonstrafeeding tions have been canceled until further notice, according to the zoo’s official website.

Staff looking after the infected hippos in Belgium must wear masks, safety glasses and disinfect their footwear before any physical contact with the hippos, the BBC reported.

From dogs to tigers, leopards to deer, positive cases of Covid-19 among animals have been recorded during the global pandemic, raising questions about how

The Washington Post

Two hippos in Belgium that vets noticed were “expelling snot” have been placed in quarantine after testing positive for the coronavirus, the Antwerp zoo said, in what appears to be the first known case of Covid-19 among the species.

It remains unclear how hippopotamuses Imani, 14, and Hermien, 41, contracted the virus, but the pair appear to be doing well and have no symptoms other than their runny, sticky noses.

“To my knowledge, this is the first time in this species,” the zoo’s vet, Francis Vercammen, said, according to Reuters. “Worldwide, this virus has been reported mainly in great apes and felines.”

While hippos tend to have wet noses, vets decided to test the pair after they spotted the animals were producing thick mucus. The zoo said that staff, including the

infections are transmitted between humans and animals.

In November, three “beloved” snow leopards at a Nebraska zoo died of complications from Covid-19, about one month after testing positive for the virus.

Two Sumatran tigers at the same zoo were also infected but made a “seemingly full recovery,” staff said. at the Officials National Zoo in Washington, D.C., said in September that a total of nine animals had tested positive for the coronavirus. They noted that some of the six lions and three tigers who had a positive result were lethargic and wouldn’t eat their meat.

In the United States, the Agriculture Department has authorized an “animal specific” vaccine which was given to seven orangutans, and several other primates at the National Zoo in October.

Other zoos have also began vaccinating animals against the virus.

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A complicated, deeper look at our favorite Christmas carols

I

like Christmas bring it right carols. I sing here!” Oh, sure, a Christmas neighbor might carols. When offer a treat if you radio stations stopped by to sing start playing Christmas carols, Christmas songs but to demand (usually around specific payment Thanksgiving), I (who has figgy start listening.

Brad Stanhope pudding in their I love “O Holy Like I was sayin’ fridge?) and Night” and refuse to leave “Silent Night” and “Joy to unless your demands are the World.” I love “Santa met? “We Wish You a Claus is Coming to Merry Christmas” is a Town” and “It’s the Most musical ransom note.

Wonderful Time of the Most simplistic song: Year” and “Have Perhaps no song is played Yourself a Merry Little more often on holiday Christmas.” I have a radio stations than “Feliz particular affection for Navidad,” Jose Feliciaearly-1980s songs “Last no’s 1970 tune that makes Christmas” and “Do everyone feel bilingual.

They Know it’s Let’s be honest: The song Christmas?” is just chorus, verse, But the genre isn’t chorus, verse. And the perfect. Far from it. verse is just a repeat.

Frankly, some Christmas In fact, there are songs are sinister, some 20 distinct words in the are meaningless and a lyrics. Total. Used over surprising number are and over: Feliz, Navidad, not about Christmas. prospero, ano, y, feliciPull up a chair for dad, I, want, to, wish, three observations on you, a, merry, Christmas, Christmas songs that from, the, bottom, may change your of, my, heart. perspective.

Twenty words, Most menacing song: occasionally changing A lot has been made in order.

That’s it. Just recent years of how 20 words. Come on!

“Baby It’s Cold Outside” For comparison’s is the “rapiest” Christsake, “Boogie Shoes” by mas song – with good K.C. and the Sunshine reason since the lyrics Band has about 80 involve a man who won’t distinct words. “You are take “no” for an answer. so Beautiful” by Joe However, I believe Cocker – a nice song, but another song is equally menacing. “We Wish You a similar pattern – has 31 distinct words. a Merry Christmas” Add another verse seems happy, but takes a or something! dark turn when the Non-Christmas songs: singers demand figgy Any list of great “Christpudding and tell the mas” songs includes a listeners, “we won’t go until we get some, so bunch of tunes that never

mention Christmas, Jesus, Santa Claus or the holidays.

For instance, “Baby It’s Cold Outside” is a winter song, not a Christmas song. So is “Winter Wonderland,” “Frosty the Snowman,” “Sleigh Ride” and “Let it Snow.” So is. . . are you ready?

“Jingle Bells!”

“Jingle Bells” makes zero references to Christmas. It’s about racing through the woods in a sleigh pulled by a single horse. Period.

Apparently, we sing these songs at Christmas because it’s winter, which isn’t universally true.

Christmas is celebrated Dec. 25 around the world, which means in the Southern Hemisphere, Christmas comes in early summer.

So in the Southern Hemisphere, do they consider summer songs to be “Christmas songs?”

Is “Hot Fun in the Summertime” by Sly and the Family Stone a Christmas song in New Zealand?

Is “Summertime” by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the French Prince a holiday song in Argentina?

Is “School’s Out for Summer” by Alice Cooper a Christmas classic in South Africa?

I could go on – and will, unless you bring me some figgy pudding.

Bring it right here.

I won’t go until I get some!

Reach Brad Stanhope at bradstanhope@ outlook.com.

DAILY REPUBLIC — Sunday, December 12, 2021 A3

Solano Covid numbers climb, Covid vaccine but is it due to a winter surge? eligibility expands for booster shots

Todd R. Hansen

thansen@dailyrepublic.net

FAIRFIELD — Coronavirus cases dating back as far as June muddied the reporting Friday for Solano County.

Still, Dr. Bela Matyas, the county public health officer, said the numbers clearly show the county is averaging about 10 more cases per day than it was prior to Thanksgiving.

“So we have been at about 40, 41 cases per day over the past week, week and a half, and that is up from 30 cases per day prior to Thanksgiving,” Matyas said.

But he wants to see the numbers next week before deciding whether that represents just a holiday spike, or whether the county is in fact experiencing another winter surge.

“What it means is the postThanksgiving bump was higher than we were aware of, but we’re not increasing,” Matyas said.

“It’s still too early to determine if we are going to continue into a winter surge.”

The county on Friday reported 186 new coronavirus cases, with 110 to be added to the totals dating back to Sunday. Seventy date back even further, some as far back as June.

“Again, problems with the state reporting system,” Matyas said.

The new case total in Solano County is 47,465.

There were no new Covidrelated deaths to report and the number of residents who are hospitalized with the disease remained at 21 just as it has been all week.

The number of patients in the intensive care units was seven Friday, the same as it was Wednesday, the county reported.

Vaccination rates did increase, up from 66% to 67% for residents 5 or older who have been fully vaccinated, and up from 76% to 77% for that population who has received at least one shot. There have been

Court votes no on Point Buckler

Daily Republic Staff

drnews@dailyrepublic.net

Aaron Rosenblatt/Daily Republic

A pedestrian wears a face mask while walking along Missouri Street in Fairfield, Friday.

72,812 booster shots administered.

The county reported 5,600 children 5 to 11 have received a shot, representing 16% of that population.

Fairfield added 50 cases to take its total to 12,686. Vallejo added 56 cases for a count of 13,846.

Vacaville is at 12,539 after 46 new cases, the county reported.

Suisun City (3,353) added eight new cases; Dixon (2,615) added 10; Benicia (1,625) added eight; Rio Vista (640) added five; and three new cases took the total in the unincorporated area of the county to 149.

The seven-day positivity testing rate dropped slightly from 4.9% Wednesday to 4.6% Friday, the county reported.

Solano County does not post case updates on weekends. The next update is scheduled late Monday afternoon. n n n Most people who have Covid19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, experience only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. Some people,

especially older adults and those with underlying health problems, experience more severe illness such as pneumonia.

The delta variant of the virus, which is currently dominant in the U.S., is highly transmissible with indications that asymptomatic individuals can spread the virus to others. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that unvaccinated people who contract the delta variant of the virus are much more likely to require hospitalization and to die from the disease as those who are vaccinated. Now health officials worldwide are tracking the new omicron variant. Health officials confirmed Dec. 1 the first U.S. case of a person infected with the omicron variant was discovered in San Francisco in an airline passenger returning to the U.S. from South Africa. The variant as of Wednesday had been detected in 22 states.

The vast majority of people who contract Covid-19 recover from their illness.

Sheriff’s captain is new police chief for Rocklin Todd R. Hansen thansen@dailyrepublic.net

Aaron Rosenblatt/Daily Republic file (2016)

Todd R. Hansen

John Sweeney, an owner of the Point Buckler Club, is shown in the Suisun Marsh.

FAIRFIELD — The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled against John Sweeney and his Point Buckler Club for violations of the federal Clean Water Act. It could leave Sweeney responsible for millions in damages and fines.

The court held that when Sweeney built an unpermitted, nearly milelong levee on the island to replace a levee section that had long ago eroded, creating a tidal flow area that became part of U.S. waters, he was in violation of the law.

Sweeney, who purchased the property in 2011, had been fined $3.6 million and ordered to clean up the on-island dredging material he used to build the levee and establish a duck hunting club and kite surfing destination.

“Defendants’ violations of the Clean Water Act are very serious, in that their construction of a nearly mile-long levee on Point Buckler Island resulted in the loss of approximately 30 acres of tidal channels and marsh and their chemical, physical, and biological functioning,” the court wrote.

The civil penalty is “held in abeyance” until the “government’s request for a mandatory injunction to implement restoration of Point Buckler Island and defendants’ completion of that restoration,” the court document states.

The Supreme Court decision follows the U.S. District Court’s deter-

mination that Sweeney and Point Buckler Club LLC committed “very serious” violations of the Clean Water Act in the Suisun Marsh.

The court documents state that despite warnings and orders to cease and desist the construction of the levee, Sweeney continued the work.

“The court enters judgment in favor of plaintiff United States of America and against defendants John Donnelly Sweeney and Point Buckler Club LLC, jointly and severally,” the court document states.

Sweeney was not without his own victories during the years-long legal fight that started in 2015.

Solano County Supe-

thansen@dailyrepublic.net

FAIRFIELD — Solano County residents who are 16 or older are now eligible to receive a Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 booster vaccine shot.

The Solano County Public Health Division announced the eligibility expanMatyas sion Friday, after approval by federal and state agencies.

“Vaccination remains the most effective method for fighting the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic,” Dr. Bela Matyas, the county public health officer, said in a statement. “As people gather to celebrate the holidays, getting a booster shot will help provide continued protection against Covid-19, especially with both the delta and omicron variants continuing to spread in communities.”

Vaccinations are available at the county fairgrounds clinics, which run from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. The fairgrounds are located at 900 Fairgrounds Drive in Vallejo. A parent or guardian must accompany anyone 16 or 17. For more information, go to www.solanocounty.com/ covidvaccine.

Public Health also included tips for staying safe through the upcoming holidays.

Most

residents importantly, are advised to stay at home if sick.

“Do not attend celebrations or participate in activities if you feel sick, or if you have come into close contact with someone who has Covid-19 and you are not yet fully vaccinated,” the agency stated.

Face masks are still recommended, especially for unvaccinated residents, at holiday gatherings “where the vaccine status of all individuals is not known.

Additionally, it is recommended to wear a face mask around individuals with a compromised immune system.”

Other tips: n It is recommended that individuals delay travel if they are not vaccinated. If traveling with unvaccinated family members, avoid crowds as much as possible and wear a face mask. n Remember to bring your face mask when traveling, as it is required for all individuals on public transit, regardless of vaccination status. n Continue to monitor yourself for Covid-19 symptoms, including if you do not feel well or you learn that someone you had close contact with tested positive, get tested for Covid-19. Visit the Public Health website for free testing site locations.

rior Court Judge Harry Kinnicutt in December 2017 found that a $5.2 million penalty by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board was “grossly disproportional to the harm” and that the state board appeared to be biased against the duck club.

That penalty had later been reduced to $3.6 million.

Kinnicutt set aside an order by the water quality control board to restore the 39-acre Point Buckler Island, which is located about 15 miles from downtown Fairfield.

But the government appealed that decision, won, and continued to win right up to the U.S. Supreme Court.

FAIRFIELD — More than 100 people gave sheriff’s Capt. Rustin Banks a send-off Thursday as the 17-year veteran of the local department heads off to his new role as the Rocklin police chief.

Banks, who started his career at the Solano County Sheriff’s Office in January 2005, will be sworn in and starts his new duties Monday.

Banks and his family, wife Melanie and three school-age children, have lived in the Rocklin area while he has worked at the Solano department.

“I truly loved working in the Sheriff’s Office and serving this community, but I also love serving (the Rocklin) community, whether it is as a coach or (instructor at Sierra Community College),” Banks said.

Banks came to the Sheriff’s Officer straight out of the U.S. Marine Corps.

He served four years.

He worked his way up the ranks to the rank of captain, and said he has enjoyed many of his duties at the Sheriff’s Office along the way. That includes more than a decade on the departBanks ment’s Special Weapon and Tactical team. He also served as the interim chief for the Rio Vista Police Department from September 2019 to February 2020 after the city requested the county’s help on covering law enforcement needs.

Banks said the application process for the chief’s job started about five months ago. He was offered the job conditioned on passing the final background checks a month ago. The city made the announcement Thursday.

The Sheriff’s Office posted its ceremony of Bank’s walk-off on its Facebook page, but made no other announcements.

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A4 Sunday, December 12, 2021 — DAILY REPUBLIC

Obituaries

Norman Smith

June 15, 1960 - Nov. 29, 2021

N o r m a n Eugene Smith, 61, passed away at his Fairfield home on Monday, Nov. 29, 20 2 1 . N or ma n was born in San Jose, California on June 15, 1960 to Norman D. Smith and Jean Z. Smith.

His family moved to Fairfield in 1965 where he attended Fairfield High and Solano College.

Norman excelled at running, motorcycle racing and woodworking.

He worked as a welder, handyman and general contractor.Norman was a loving father, son, brother and uncle.

Survivors include his son, Shawn Smith; mother, Jean Smith; sisters, Melody Cox,

Annette Cisneros and April (Larry) DeMoss; niece, Jessica Rose; nephews, Dean and Jake DeMoss; and greatnephew, Tyler Lertpaichaiyon.

He was preceded in death by his father, Norman D. Smith.Graveside memorial service will be held at 11a.m.

Friday, Dec. 17, 2021, at Rockville Cemetery, 4219 Suisun Valley Road, Fairfield, California.

Cremation and arrangements entrusted to the direction and care of Twin Chapels Mortuary, 1100 Tennessee St., Vallejo. (707) 552-6696. www.TwinChapelsMortuary.com

Ruby Jean Pitts

June 14, 1943 - Dec. 1, 2021

Ruby Jean Pitts was born June 14, 1943, to Robert McGhee and Mattie Gooden of Memphis, Tennessee.

She married the love of her life, Willie C. Pitts Sr. in 1964, who preceded her in death on May 6, 1984.

She was a Vault Teller for Bank of America for well over 40 years in Benicia, California.

She ascended to Heaven and departed this life on Dec. 1, 2021, surrounded by her family.

She is survived by her three children, Delores Pitts (Smith), Felicia Pitts (Lane), Willie C. Pitts

Jr.; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; three sisters, Irene of California, Roberta and Elizabeth both of Tennessee; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Family and Friends are invited to come and celebrate Ruby’s life. Viewing will be held from 10 a.m. to noon, Church service will be from noon to 2 p.m. Interment will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, at Skyview Memorial Lawn, 200 Rollingwood Dr., Vallejo, California. Skyview Memorial requires Masks be worn by all attendees.

Daniel Reynolds

Daniel Reynolds, longtime resident of Solano County, passed away at the age of 76 on Nov. 26, 2021. Daniel was a disabled veteran and a retired Deputy Sheriff of the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department.

Daniel is survived by his wife, Mary; son, Christian; brothers, John and Jim; and sister, Ginni.

Memorial service will

be scheduled at a later date in early 2022.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity in his memory. Daniel was a longtime supporter of the following charities: The Audubon Society, American Red Cross, Ocean Conservancy, Nature Conservancy and the American Cancer Society.

Monkees musician Nesmith dies at 78 Tribune Content Agency Singer and musician Michael Nesmith, who found fame with the Monkees in the 1960s before becoming a solo act and a pioneer in music video, has died.

His death comes less than a month after his final Monkees concert.

Nesmith, 78, died “surrounded Nesmith by family, peacefully and of natural causes,” his family said in a statement Friday.

The Monkees, made up of Nesmith, Davy Jones, Peter Tork and Micky Dolenz, were a smash on TV and on the pop charts in the 1960s. Dolenz is now the last survivor.

Nesmith and Dolenz had toured this year, playing their final show as the Monkees on Nov. 14 in Las Vegas.

“I’m heartbroken,” Dolenz tweeted. “I’ve lost a dear friend and partner.

I’m so grateful that we could spend the last couple of months together doing what we loved best – singing, laughing, and doing shtick.

I’ll miss it all so much. Especially the shtick. Rest in peace, Nez. All my love, Micky.”

The group was a made-for-TV creation inspired by the success of the Beatles’ movie “A Hard Day’s Night.” Producers looked to find four captivating personalities for their fictional band, nicknamed “The Prefab Four” by some detractors.

Jones and Dolenz were primarily actors, but Tork and Nesmith were musicians, and Nesmith in particular wanted the group to be a real band.

They sold millions of records in their career.

37th annual Live Nativity show celebrates birth of Jesus Christ K aty St. Clair

katy@dailyrepublic.com

VACAVILLE — Though the Christmas season usually kicks off the day after Thanksgiving, for many in Vacaville it’s not really “the most wonderful time of the year” until Trinity Baptist Church hosts its annual live Nativity extravaganza.

Resident Lynn Ferris has been in Vacaville for 40 years and says she “never misses it.”

“I come every year,” she said.

It’s easy to see why.

The church goes allout, from costumes, to rousing music, to a live donkey and camel.

Friday was a chilly 40 degrees, but the hot cocoa and cookies helped.

The risers were so packed for the first performance at 6 p.m. that the Rev. Greg Davidson had to ask everyone to scrunch in even closer to accommodate the crowd.

There might have been “no room at the inn” for Mary and Joseph, but everyone got a seat for the show.

The performers broke up the usual nativity story of Mary and Joseph in the manger with vignettes to the side of the stage

Katy St. Clair/Daily Republic

Trinity Baptist Church of Vacaville delivers its annual Live Nativity presentation. depicting a couple on a road trip stopping into Angel’s Cafe for some supper on Christmas Eve. The chatty server abides the cranky and hungry pair but is sure to tell them the “good news” about Christmas.

According to the church, the annual event began in 1985 as a drivethru Nativity scene. Now it’s a whole production involving the work of 200 parishioners over a few months.

“This is our Christmas gift to you,” Davidson

Benicia Parade a peppermint pageant of fun K aty St. Clair

katy@dailyrepublic.com

BENICIA — There’s two things that most Benicians love: dogs and parades. People in town are known to set their chairs up along 1st Street the night before each spectacle. Christmastime is no different.

As for dogs, well, in the first hour, corgis, labs, Frenchies, Bichons and Chihuahuas could all be seen bedecked Saturday in their holiday sweaters and reindeer antlers.

The annual Christmas Parade and Holiday Market kicked off on a beautiful morning downtown. A color guard led the train, with Santa himself in a vintage, open-top Jeep.

“Santa!

What?!” squealed a little boy from across the street, obviously impressed that Mr. Claus had come all the way from the North Pole to Benicia.

The parade contained

just about every politician and organization in town, from the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to the Fire Department.

Mayor Steve Young passed out candy canes.

Vice Mayor Tom Campbell and City Councilmen Lionel Largaespada and Trevor Macenski strolled down the street. Councilwoman Christina Strawbridge cruised by in a red convertible.

Solano County Supervisor Monica Brown also joined in, making sure all the children got more candy.

“You can never have enough candy this time of year, right?!” Brown said.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church’s minister, Annie Pierpoint Mertz, brought her family to watch, and her sons AJ and Wesley started a sizable candy cane collection.

Benicia’s parade is probably the only one in America with a Bernese Mountain Dog contin-

Daily Republic Staff drnews@dailyrepublic.net

VACAVILLE — The city has scheduled a Polar Bear Plunge on Dec. 30 at the Walter V. Graham Aquatic Center.

Costumes are welcome, especially for the plunge, Vacaville announced in a statement.

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Katy St. Clair/Daily Republic

The Benicia High School Marching Band skipped “Deck The Halls” and bounced right into KC & The Sunshine Band’s “Get Down Tonight” as they partied down 1st Street at the annual Christmas Parade in downtown Benicia, Saturday. gent, but the Northern market. Jewelry, handCalifornia chapter of the crafted goods, candy, food breed’s club was out in and of course seasonal full force. Though the gifts lined the street. rambunctious dog’s Santa Overall, Saturday was hats didn’t want to stay on a good example of why top of their heads, the red Benicia is considered and white toppers made a family friendly town. good bibs in a pinch.

Little Logan Reyes might One of the funniest only be 13 months old, but things in the parade was he was mesmerized. when one of the Wise Men “Bah!” he shouted, accidentally let go of his but not in a humbug way. goat’s lead. For a split More like a baby talk for second, that goat tasted “Look at that!” sweet freedom. Luckily, There are two more he was apprehended, but holiday events in Benicia goats and leashes are next week. There will indeed a rocky marriage. be a sing-along from Other surprises 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday at included multiple Star the Majestic Theatre Wars characters, the at 710 1st St. On The Ghost Busters, a smat- Benicia Homes Holiday tering of Grinches and Tour, where adults over the entire Nutcracker 21 can see the town’s hiscast from the Benicia torical homes done up Ballet Theater. in festive finery, takes After the parade, most place Dec. 16. Tickets people moved down the are required. For more street toward the strait information, go to insideto check out the holiday beniciahomes.com.

The plunge is scheduled for 6:30 to 8 p.m. The center is located at 1100 Alamo Drive.

Register at https://tinyurl. com/2p8uha8j. The fee is $12 up to Dec. 20 and $14 after that date.

A participation prize is included.

A $5 fee will be charged for those who attend but do not participate.

“Participants can defrost in the ‘catch’ pool where the temperature will be a toasty 92 degrees. As part of the festivities, participants will enjoy a night filled with hot cocoa, music and more swimming.

Friends and family may join participants and watch from the deck with a warm cup of hot cocoa,” the statement said.

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For 4-year-old Hannah Chastain, the best part of the evening was seeing the donkey and camel. Children were encouraged to pose for pictures with the donkey, but everyone had to stay spitting-distance from the camel.

Four more shows are planned this weekend: at 6 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Trinity Baptist Church is located at 401 W. Monte Vista Ave. The event is free.

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said. “We’re here to celebrate Jesus.”

The highlight of the show was when three members of the choir sang “I Have Seen The in harmony.

Light” said that, Davidson though there are many substitutes for “light,” the real light of the world is Jesus.

“Jesus came to bring light into our dark, dark life,” he said.

The show ended with the audience standing up to sing carols such as “Joy to the World” and “O

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DAILY REPUBLIC — Sunday, December 12, 2021 A5

Bakery hosts Famous Christmas Toy Drive Susan Hiland

shiland@dailyrepublic.net

FAIRFIELD — Famous Creations owner Nicholas Rodriguez is looking forward to making some children very happy this Christmas.

The baker is wellknown for his cupcakes, cookies, brownies,and other creations that appeal to everyone who has a sweet tooth.

But for the ninth year, he hosted his Famous Christmas Toy Drive.

This year’s effort included his second location in Vacaville.

The locations at 330 Merchant St. in Vacaville and 837 Texas St. in Fairfield accepted toys until 2 p.m. Those who donated a toy were eligible to receive a ticket to win a 50-inch, flat-screen smart TV. Those who do not donate were welcome to purchase a ticket for $5, with proceeds used to

Zoning has an eclectic menu Todd R. Hansen

thansen@dailyrepublic.net

FAIRFIELD — Allan Calder, the county planning manager, will be busy Thursday when he considers three use permit applications for a small winery and tasting room, a refuse transfer station and a large poultry ranch.

The poultry ranch would be located at 8444 Bulkley Road, 4.5 miles east of Dixon.

The planning staff recommends approval of the project, which includes breeding and sales of laying hens and the construction of nine new buildings.

The staff also recommends approval of the EQ Industrial Services Inc. application to “establish and operate a refuse disposal transfer facility” on 8 acres at 8028 Schroeder Road.

Leading the agenda is consideration of the permit for the winery and tasting room, and a “medium-sized, nonmarketing special events facility” at 2212 Morrison Lane in Suisun Valley.

The county Planning Commission at 7 p.m.

Thursday considers an application for an events center, secondary dwelling and studio on property at 2208 Morrison Lane.

The zoning administrator meets at 10 a.m. in the Department of Resource Management office in the government center, 675 Texas St., in Fairfield.

Meeting access is also available by calling 1-323457-3408. The Conference ID is 293118721#.

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The ninth Annual Famous Creations Christmas Toy Drive in Fairfield is hosted by six vendors inside the bakery and outside on the sidewalk. The toy drive was also held at the Famous Creations second location in Vacaville. buy more toys.

Creations Famous also offered $1 cupcakes – which were a huge hit with boxes of them going out the door.

“I’ve got a taco truck, Letters to Santa Table, cookie and cupcake decorating plus vendors,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said he hopes to bring smiles to

the faces of children who might not have presents or even a Christmas tree to put presents under.

The toys will be distributed Dec. 25 by Families for Children, Child Haven, the Fairfield Community Services Foundation, Safe Quest Solano and Community Action North Bay. It was much more low-key Saturday because

of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I decided to make it smaller this year,” Rodriguez said. “Just dial it down.”

The Fairfield location had six vendors this year, including sisters Yzabel Martinez, 19, and Andrea Martinez, 22, of Suisun City, who have been busy during Covid with a couple of new hobbies.

Yzabel brought several paintings she has done over the past couple of years to sell. It is the first time she has ever done something like this and she was pretty excited to share her art.

“I have painted for a long time, since I was little but with Covid I just started to paint more,” she said.

Andrea started to help her with the paintings but soon realized she wanted to do something on her own, so she took up embroidery, both handwork and machine.

This might be the last year for the toy drive.

Rodriguez is contemplating a larger street party event next year to usher it

out with a bang. He said he thinks maybe something with Santa, 50 vendors and arts and crafts might be a good way to end it.

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DAILY REPUBLIC — Sunday, December 12, 2021 A7

CIA needs more scientists and Mandarin speakers with US-China tensions growing said in remarks broadcast to the intelligence community workforce. “You’re going to have to increase your ranks with people with significant scientific capacity relative to pathogens.

“As we compete for the future of the 21st century with China and other nations, we have to stay on top of the cutting-edge developments of science and technology,” Biden added.

Tribune Content Agency WASHINGTON — U.S. intelligence agencies had already obtained a trove of Chinese data containing potential clues on the origins of the coronavirus pandemic when President Joe Biden ordered a review earlier this year. The challenge was in deciphering it.

Spy agencies needed data scientists to process the intelligence, biologists to put it into context, and Mandarin Chinese speakers to help translate it. All of them needed security clearances for access to classified information.

It was a high-profile example of a growing challenge within the intelligence community.

“When you’re able to clandestinely acquire a very technical document, there’s only a handful of people you can then go to and ask, ‘what does this say?’” said Emily Harding, deputy director and senior fellow with the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a former leadership analyst at the CIA. “One of the really sad realities about the intelligence community,” Harding said, “is that the very skills and backgrounds that we desperately need are the same ones that are difficult to clear.”

CIA Director Bill Burns is urging the agency to recruit Chinese speakers, scientists and engineers in even greater numbers.

The CIA is hiring over 100 language and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) experts who can work with its newly formed China and technology mission centers. “The revolution in technology has transformed the nature of global challenges and threats to the United States,” Luis Rossello, CIA’s deputy press secretary, told McClatchy.

The new recruitment focus comes at the encouragement of the president and leadership in Congress.

“As the intelligence community refocuses its efforts around great power competition and a rising and increasingly aggressive China, ensuring that we have both technical experts and Mandarin speakers is critical to the IC’s mission,” House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., told McClatchy.

Clearance for Mandarin speakers

Olivier Douliery/Pool/CNP/Zuma Press

The seal of the Central Intelligence Agency is seen on the floor at CIA headquarters.

The CIA works with American uniHis committee’s September 2020 special report on China “identified versities to recruit STEM talent through both of these priorities as key strategic faculty interactions and classroom requirements,” Schiff said, “and we have engagements.

“You might be surprised at the been working collaboratively with the IC broad range of STEM disciplines that to address them.” the CIA needs to get a comprehensive picture of the world: applied physics, Competition for scientists biology, chemistry, computer science, In its new recruitment efforts, the CIA electrochemistry, materials science, faces old and familiar headwinds. and nanotechnology, to name a few,” Competition with the private sector for Rossello said. top talent in the sciences has always been Last year, the agency created CIA a challenge and has only grown more Labs that serves as an in-house research intense in recent years. To compete, the and development laboratory focusing CIA is offering competitive salaries and on intelligence challenges in technology hiring bonuses, and working to signifi- such as artificial intelligence, biotechnolcantly reduce the time it takes applicants ogy and quantum computing. to join the agency, Rossello said.

Burns also appointed a chief techThe CIA argues that joining the intel- nology officer in October and launched ligence agency is an opportunity to serve a CIA Technology Fellows program to the country and work with cutting-edge bring experts to the CIA for one- or twoclassified technology. year stints.

“We call on our employees to use Biden, during a July visit to the Office everything they know: Decipher the pat- of the Director of National Intelligence, terns. Tell the story. Transform that emphasized the need for spy agencies information into intelligible and action- to boost the recruitment of scientists, able reports,” Rossello said. “Their work saying, “more people have been killed in helps to provide clarity to some of the the United States of America because of most complex security puzzles to help COVID than in every single major war the president, the Cabinet, Congress we fought combined. Every single one.”

“What’s next? What is intended? and others make informed decisions on There’s a lot of research going on,” he national security.”

The CIA clearance process for fluent Chinese speakers, many of whom have spent significant time in China or have family there, is particularly cumbersome after the agency experienced several cases in recent years of current and former officers selling government secrets to Beijing.

“The core of the problem is that people who have experience in China are not trusted,” said Douglas Paal, vice president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and a former senior CIA analyst.

“We’ve had a couple of examples of people who China has tried to recruit and then put into the CIA,” Paal said, “and that has put the people responsible for clearances on notice that they could be bringing in somebody who could be a sleeper or a long-term threat to the integrity of the security in the system.”

In October, Burns launched the China Mission Center and a Transnational and Technology Mission Center to adjust the CIA’s organizational structure “to best position it to address current and future national security challenges,” the agency said at the time.

Agency leadership is trying to reduce the time it takes to hire Chinese speakers, but the same security clearance challenges remain.

The agency is also recruiting speakers in Russian, Korean, Farsi, Arabic, Pashto and Turkish. But the focus on Chinese has sharpened.

“People who come from these countries or people whose families come from these countries, who speak the language like a native or speak the language with a technical proficiency, probably have a ton of family that still live there or have gone to school there or spent significant time there,” Harding from CSIS said.

Opinion A8 Sunday, December 12, 2021 — DAILY REPUBLIC

calmatters commentary

Some state schools closing ‘achievement gap’ very well

T

he Legislature and then-Gov. Jerry Brown overhauled school financing nearly a decade ago with the declared goal of closing a stubborn “achievement gap” separating poor and English-learner students from their more privileged peers.

Although the Local Control Funding Formula directed more money to improve the education of kids deemed to be at “high-risk” of failure, and many billions of dollars have been allocated to that purpose over the years, there’s scant evidence that the gap has been narrowed, much less closed.

Critics have charged that many local school districts, under pressure from advocates Dan Walters for other purposes, didn’t focus the extra money on the targeted students. Advocates for the children who need help have been forced in some cases to sue, especially in large urban districts in which school politics are a blood sport.

That said, there’s anecdotal evidence that some school districts, especially in rural areas, are making noticeable strides in closing the achievement gap. In smaller communities, schools are seen as vital civic institutions rather than political arenas, so parents and voters have influence that those in large cities lack.

Three years ago, EdSource, a journalistic website devoted to California education, highlighted the impressive educational gains made in Brawley, a farm town in Imperial County.

Brawley Union High School Principal Jesse Sanchez was appalled by the writing of his students, EdSource reported, and “responded by creating a schoolwide program that requires all students to write regularly in every class, including P.E., where earlier this year, students wrote about what they had learned regarding muscle anatomy and weight training.”

“Over the past three years, the school, which serves about 1,670 students, has seen its scores soar on these tests aligned to the Common Core standards, which high school juniors take each spring,” EdSource found.

Recently, EdSource highlighted another rural success, this time in Livingston, a Merced County town best known as the headquarters of the Foster Farms poultry empire.

It focused on Alma Lopez, a counselor at Livingston Middle School who persuaded her bosses to devote a big chunk of Local Control Funding Formula money to improving counseling services and expanding their reach into helping not only students but their families, many of which are poor.

“A lot of families in our district moved to the U.S. in search of a better life for their kids,” Lopez, the daughter of immigrants from Mexico, told EdSource. “As someone who’s been there, I want to make sure every student has the opportunities they deserve.”

“The needs are many. . . . Some students have endured hardships I can’t even comprehend,” Lopez said. “But I fell in love with the Livingston community. It reminded me of my own childhood in the rural valley. There’s a strong sense of family, and everyone takes care of one another.”

“Livingston now has five counselors for its K-8 student population, and Lopez has designed a comprehensive, districtwide counseling program that serves students as well as their families,” EdSource wrote. “The investment appears to have paid off. Livingston Union School District has a chronic absenteeism rate and suspension rate that is far lower than the state average, and English and math standardized test scores are consistently improving, according to the California School Dashboard.”

The American School Counselor Association last month honored Lopez as the national counselor of the year. She is living proof that kids from impoverished backgrounds can succeed if educators make the effort.

One wonders why state politicians and education officials don’t insist that the successful efforts in Brawley, Livingston and other small communities be replicated elsewhere, especially in the big cities.

CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters.

For more columns by Dan Walters, go to calmatters.org/commentary.

DAILY REPUBLIC A McNaughton Newspaper

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commentary

America needs unity to rediscover its greatness, come back together Editor’s note: Bob Dole, who died Dec. 5, represented Kansas in the U.S. Senate from 1969 to 1996, including as Senate majority leader, and was the 1996 Republican nominee for president. This column was drafted early in 2021 to be published around the time of his death.

By Bob Dole

Special To The Washington Post

S

hortly after I was elected Senate majority leader in November 1984, a friend stopped by the Capitol to offer his congratulations. We toured my office, reviewing pictures of past majority leaders and admiring two portraits of personal heroes: Abraham Lincoln and Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Something about the place, steeped in such distinguished history, touched a common nerve in us. We fell silent for a time, when a smile crossed my friend’s face. With wonder, he said, “Imagine a kid from Russell, Kansas, having an office like this.”

My home at birth was a threeroom house. I grew up during the Dust Bowl, when so many of us helplessly watched our livelihoods blow away with the wind. I have always felt humbled to live in a nation that would allow my unlikely story to unfold.

Many nights during my time as majority leader, I would step out on my office balcony overlooking the National Mall and be reminded of what made my journey possible.

Facing me were monuments to our nation’s first commander in chief, the author of our Declaration of Independence, and the president who held our union together. In the distance were the countless graves of those who gave their lives so that we could live free.

That inspiring view came back to me as I watched the Jan. 6 riots at the Capitol. I imagined the view of those monuments and headstones obscured by clouds of tear gas. I thought about the symbol of our democracy consumed by anger, hatred and violence.

There has been a lot of talk about what it will take to heal our country.

We have heard many of our leaders profess “bipartisanship.” But we must remember that bipartisanship is the minimum we should expect from ourselves.

America has never achieved greatness when Republicans and

Stringer /Reuters via The Washington Post

Bob Dole Democrats simply manage to work together or tolerate each other. We have overcome our biggest challenges only when we focused on our shared values and experiences. These common ties form much stronger bonds than political parties.

I cannot pretend that I have not been a loyal champion for my party, but I always served my country best when I did so first and foremost as an American. I fought for veterans benefits not as a Republican but as someone who witnessed the heroism of our service members firsthand. I advocated for those with disabilities not as a member of the GOP but as someone who personally understood the limitations of a world without basic accommodations. I stood up for those going hungry not as a leader in my party but as someone who had seen too many folks sweat through a hard day’s work without being able to put dinner on the table.

When we prioritize principles over party and humanity over personal legacy, we accomplish far more as a nation. By leading with a shared faith in each other, we become America at its best: a beacon of hope, a source of comfort in crisis, a shield against those who threaten freedom.

Our nation’s recent political challenges remind us that our standing as the leader of the free world is not simply destiny. It is a deliberate choice that every generation must make and work toward. We cannot do it divided.

I do have hope that our country will rediscover its greatness. Perhaps

it is the optimism that comes from spending 98 years as a proud American. I grew up in what others have called the Greatest Generation. Together, we put an end to Nazi tyranny. Our nation confronted Jim Crow, split the atom, eliminated the anguish of polio, planted our flag on the moon and tore down the Berlin Wall. Rising above partisanship, we made historic gains in feeding the hungry and housing the homeless. To make a more perfect union, we swung open the doors of economic opportunity for women who were ready to rise to their fullest potential and leave shattered glass ceilings behind them.

Our nation has certainly faced periods of division. But at the end of the day, we have always found ways to come together.

We can find that unity again.

In 1951, when I was newly elected to the Kansas House of Representatives, a reporter asked me what I had on my agenda. I said, “Well, I’m going to sit back and watch for a few days, and then I’ll stand up for what I think is right.”

In 1996, when I left public office for the final time, I announced the same plans, to sit back for a few days, then start standing up for what I thought was right.

After sharing these thoughts, I plan to once again return to my seat to sit back and watch. Though this time, I will count on tomorrow’s leaders to stand up for what is right for America. With full optimism and faith in our nation’s humanity, I know they will.

Darlene went on the be the topranked player in the country with a full career of championships won in the pre-open era while I turned pro at 18, married in 1956 and was brought up by four sons, two of whom were excellent players.

I last saw Darlene when I was, as executive director of the National Tennis Association, giving a speech in Anaheim and she was teaching tennis in Griffith Park. We had a wonderful reunion that day, laughing about how our serves served us well.

Now, at 85, as a director of the newly formed Solano Community

Tennis Association, I’m pleased to be able to continue that which she did so well, love the game of tennis and hopefully assist and inspire those who enjoy this lifelong sport.

Darlene’s death hits me hard but so many of the stories of our youthful escapades bring smiles which help. Although the score of “love” in tennis means zero, in actuality the loving bonds formed on the courts of the world stay with us. She was a very special person and I miss her.

letter to the editor

Tennis great, dear friend Darlene Hard dies The news just reached me that my dear friend Darlene Hard died Dec. 2 in Southern California where she lived most of her life.

We were born in 1936 and I played national tennis tournaments as teens with Darlene.

She was from SoCal, and I, from Connecticut, so she stayed at my house between East Coast tournaments.

Mary P. Johnsen Fairfield

DAILY REPUBLIC — Sunday, December 12, 2021 A9

Crime logs Fairfield

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Thursday, Dec. 9 1:19 a.m. — Trespassing, 1400 block of HOLIDAY LANE 5:57 a.m. — Vehicle theft, 500 block of HAVENHILL ROAD 8:21 a.m. — Forgery, 5000 block of NEBBIOLO COURT 9:11 a.m. — Vehicle theft, 1300 block of WEST TEXAS STREET 9:24 a.m. — Battery, 800 block of WASHINGTON STREET 10:07 a.m. — Reckless driver, MANUEL CAMPOS PARKWAY 11:18 a.m. — Brandishing a weapon, 300 block of EAST TABOR AVENUE 11:18 a.m. — Trespassing, 1600 block of GATEWAY BOULEVARD 11:25 a.m. — Robbery, 2700 block of NORTH TEXAS STREET 11:48 a.m. — Reckless driver, 3300 block of CHERRY HILLS COURT 12:42 p.m. — Forgery, 4700 block of STETSON DRIVE 1:12 p.m. — Forgery, 1600 block of KIDDER AVENUE 2:12 p.m. — Battery, 400 block of EAST TABOR AVENUE 2:27 p.m. — Battery, 800 block of WASHINGTON STREET 2:29 p.m. — Grand theft, 1300 block of TRAVIS BOULEVARD 2:42 p.m. — Vehicle theft, 100 block of SOUTHBRIDGE LANE 3:19 p.m. — Reckless driver, EASTBOUND INTERSTATE 80 3:27 p.m. — Hit-and-run property damage, UTAH STREET 3:45 p.m. — Hit-and-run property damage, CHADBOURNE ROAD 4:14 p.m. — Trespassing, 1900 block of WEST TEXAS STREET 4:34 p.m. — Vandalism, 3300 block of CHERRY HILLS COURT 4:38 p.m. — Battery, 3000 block of PUFFIN CIRCLE 4:56 p.m. — Trespassing, 100 block of EAST TRAVIS BOULEVARD 5:50 p.m. — Reckless driver, DOVER AVENUE 6:25 p.m. — Brandishing a weapon, 300 block of EAST TABOR AVENUE 6:53 p.m. — Battery, 2100 block of SANTA ANA DRIVE 7:09 p.m. — Rape, JELLY BELLY LANE 11:40 p.m. — Trespassing, 1900 block of WEST TEXAS STREET

We need your help!

Please call 644-7867.

9:34 a.m. — Vehicle theft, ONE LAKE DRIVE 10 a.m. — Indecent exposure, 2000 block of CADENASSO DRIVE 10:20 a.m. — Trespassing, CLAY BANK ROAD 10:51 a.m. — Forgery, 1900 block of GRANDE CIRCLE 1:09 p.m. — Rape, 1000 block of WEBSTER STREET 1:15 p.m. — Grand theft, 5000 block of WEST CORDELIA ROAD 1:22 p.m. — Forgery, 4700 block of STETSON DRIVE 2:36 p.m. — Vandalism, CLAY BANK ROAD 3:24 p.m. — Hit-and-run property damage, LOPES ROAD 3:42 p.m. — Grand theft, 1300 block of TRAVIS BOULEVARD 4:27 p.m. — Trespassing, 1600 block of TRAVION COURT 4:39 p.m. — Indecent exposure, 3300 block of NORTH TEXAS STREET 5:36 p.m. — Vehicle theft, 1300 block of TRAVIS BOULEVARD 5:44 p.m. — Robbery, 800 block of WASHINGTON STREET 7:30 p.m. — Battery, 1100 block of SANDERLING DRIVE 7:37 p.m. — Vehicle theft, 1800 block of NORTH TEXAS STREET 10:31 p.m. — Trespassing, 1900 block of WEST TEXAS STREET 11:16 p.m. — Hit-and-run property damage, 1500 block of PHOENIX DRIVE

Suisun City Thursday, Dec. 9 11:09 a.m. — Hit-and-run no injury, HIGHWAY 12 / MARINA BOULEVARD 3:15 p.m. — Hit-and-run no injury, HIGHWAY 12 / SUNSET AVENUE 10:35 p.m. — Assault, 500 block of WHISPERING BAY LANE

Scott Olson/Getty Images/TNS

In an aerial view, homes and businesses are destroyed after a tornado ripped through town the previous evening Saturday, in Mayfield, Kentucky.

Tornadoes: Rip Kentucky, Midwest From Page One ever seen.”

The White House said in a statement that the president was briefed on the storms and directed federal resources to be “surged immediately.”

Storm-related deaths were also reported in Arkansas, Illinois, Missouri and Tennessee.

Video from small towns like Mayfield showed rescuers combing massive fields of debris Saturday morning, recovering few survivors.

The impact was worst in small towns like Mayfield, about 130 miles northwest of Nashville – where those working overnight shifts at factories and ware-

houses got stuck huddling for safety.

At least two people died and first responders were still searching for others at an Amazon warehouse in Edwardsville, Illinois, about 25 miles from St. Louis.

In Mayfield, Kentucky, where one the largest employers is a familyowned candle factory, Mayfield Consumer Products, relatives were still searching for many of the 110 workers.

One of the factory workers, Jill Monroe, texted her son late Friday to say she was sheltering with coworkers.

Monroe, 52, said tornado sirens had been going on and off since she started her shift at

Friday, Dec. 10

From Page One

1:21 a.m. — Vehicle theft, 1900 block of UTAH STREET 8:54 a.m. — Indecent exposure, 1900 block of NORTH TEXAS STREET

8:37 a.m. — Vehicle burglary, 800 block of SUNSET AVENUE 11:51 p.m. — Shots fired, SUNSET AVENUE / RAILROAD AVENUE

emergency services and protection from wildfires. Additionally, there is an increase in the perceived need for funding to address protection from wildfires,” a survey report states. “There is conceptual support for a sales tax to address protection from wildfires or emergency services, however, resistance to new taxes remains high.”

The survey also notes that “in uninformed, initial votes, support for a dedicated sales tax fails to reach the two-thirds threshold, but support for a general sales tax is solidly above the majority threshold for passage.”

The poll shows that 65% of those interviewed listed wildfire protection as very important.

On a numbered scale, with seven being very important, 91% rate fire protection at five or higher.

Tribune Content Agency A little more than two weeks since omicron’s discovery, a lot has been learned about the latest coronavirus variant. A lot remains to be discovered.

Early data from South Africa, the epicenter so far, shows that the virus appears to spread far faster than earlier strains but also doesn’t appear to be causing severe disease.

Nothing is definitive yet, so the world is still somewhat in the dark.

With omicron cases doubling every few days in the U.K., policymakers and investors are grasping at any clues; the spread in Britain could be a harbinger of things to come across Europe and the U.S. Health officials had been moving toward the end of year with a little hope that the Covid era was shifting into a newer,

more manageable phase.

But now it’s not clear yet if 2022 will succeed where 2021 has been defeated: suppress the spread of the virus enough to stop the rolling infection waves and finally end social restrictions.

Initial lab studies indicate omicron is much more transmissible than even delta, the strain that spread rapidly across the globe, filling hospitals and boosting death rates. They also show that it can infect the vaccinated or those who have already been ill with Covid-19.

What’s not known yet is how it developed, and whether it will cause more severe disease in countries with older populations than South Africa.

Also unclear is whether it can out-compete delta in places where that version is dominant now, such as Europe and the U.S.

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first time in her life that she was scared to death.”

Then she wrote, “Told you it’s rough.”

Minutes later, according to reports, the tornado hit the factory.

“I never heard a reply,” Chism said.

Her only child, he drove four hours from his home outside Louisville to Mayfield, arriving by late morning intent on searching the rubble of the factory for his mother.

The governor said at the morning briefing that no survivors had been found since 3 a.m. but Chism, a construction worker skilled at demolition work, still hoped he would find his mother alive.

“I’m taking her home either way,” he said.

Tax: Supes talk ballot measure

Friday, Dec. 10, 2021

Where to go from here with omicron?

7 p.m., according to son Chris Chism.

Chism, who lives outside Louisville, was accustomed tornado to frequent warnings, and wasn’t immediately worried.

“We go through them so much, usually the kids go to the basement and I’ll go to the front porch and watch and see if I can see it coming. That’s just how tornadoes are up here,” he said.

But by 9:30 p.m., his mother texted him to say she and the other workers “were all in the bathrooms hunkered down.”

“They had heard on the weather radio that a tornado had touched down near them,” he said.

“She told me that for the

That compares to a 2020 survey that showed 52% at very important and 85% at the higher importance values.

The need for funding wildfire protection received 81% support between responses of greet need (41%) and some need (40%), which compared to the 2020 survey showing 75% support (34% great need, 41% some need).

Where the funds should be spent has higher levels of importance to prevent the spread of wildfires from wildland areas to neighborhoods (61% very important; 86% overall), reduce the risk of wildfires (57% and 85%), improve 911 response times (54% and 86%) and reduce vegetation and flammable brush (50% and 84%).

Add firebreaks to prevent wildfire spread; improve early wildfire detection systems; ensure defensible space around homes,

neighborhoods, and critical infrastructure; manage vegetation in public open space; improve emergency evacuation routes and procedures; and increase volunteer firefighter training all received at least 80% in overall importance ratings, but less than 50% of the respondents rated them as very important.

Supporting emergency services had similar results, with the 2021 survey showing 64% rated the need as very important and 91% rated it among the higher values of importance.

The survey also addressed such issues as jobs and the economy (60% very important, 90% important); homelessness (60% and 87%); Covid-19 (55% and 72%); affordable housing (48% and 77%); and access to parks, open space and hiking trails (39% and 75%), county documents state.

Supervisors: Full agenda this week From Page One in Vallejo is not at all adequate or appropriate and is currently viewed by many as a space Family Justice Center staff are sent as a form of punishment;” “the current center is not a true drop-in Family Justice Center framework that promotes walk-in, on-demand services for survivors, which is a fundamental element of healthy Family Justice Centers;” and “the Family Justice Center Foundation is not operating as it was designed (i.e.: it is not bringing in any funding to support center operations).”

“There is unanimous consensus that political conflicts surrounding the history and current state of the Family Justice Center need to be addressed in order to create a

framework that supports survivors and their families more comprehensively,” the report adds.

The District Attorney’s Office has sued the county over what it believes was an open meeting violation when the Board of Supervisors shifted some of the budgetary oversight from the District Attorney’s Office to the County Administrator’s Office during budget hearings. The suit is still making its way through preliminary court hearings.

The Justice Center discussion is the last item on the agenda and follows a closed session during which the board will be updated on labor negotiations and a discussion on filling the director’s position for Veteran Services with the impending retirement of Ted Puntillo, who the board will honor earlier in the

meeting, including with a brief reception in the foyer.

Also on the agenda is a presentation from the Institute for Public Sector Employee Engagement on the 2021 Solano County Employee Engagement Survey Results.

The survey was “designed to solicit their feedback and help the county understand what is going well from the employees’ perspective and to identify areas where focus is needed for the future.”

Some of the questions asked the employees how they felt about the “organization, their job, work unit, (and) leadership and equity.”

First on the agenda is an update from Col. Corey Simmons, commander of the 60th Air Mobility Wing, on the status of operations at Travis Air Force Base.

Storm: Solano braces for winter storm From Page One sunset Saturday and will remain closed until sunrise Wednesday due to the storms, the city announced.

The park closure will allow city staff to assess and address potential tree and rockfall hazards on or near the trail system. For additional information about the park closure, call Park Ranger Teri Luchini at 707-249-3613.

To report localized flooding in Fairfield, contact the Police Department Sunday at 707-4287300; the Public Works Operations Division from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through the duration of the rains at 707-428-7407; or the Police Department after hours early this coming week.

Pacific Gas & Electric Company was bracing for the possibility of “widespread power outages”

as a result of high winds that are expected to accompany the storms, the utility reports.

Crews worked Friday to help ensure that trees do not pose a threat to power lines during the storms, the company said in a press release. The utility has also prepositioned crews to restore power if blackouts occur.

Daily Republic

Sunday, December 12, 2021 SECTION B

Be sure to visit

for future events

This week Things to do I Fairfield 2 p.m. Sunday Blue Situation

Pioneer Tap Room, 4491 Suisun Valley Road. https://pioneertaproom.com.

4 p.m. Sunday 5 O Boyz & Wyldz

Three, 721 Texas St. www.threefoodbeerwine.com.

4 p.m. Wednesday Chris, Rob & Friends

Pioneer Tap Room, 4491 Suisun Valley Road. https://pioneertaproom.com.

5 p.m. Friday Jeff Curtis & Phil Greene

Pioneer Tap Room, 4491 Suisun Valley Road. https://pioneertaproom.com.

5 p.m. Friday Rendishun

Three, 721 Texas St. www.threefoodbeerwine.com.

2 p.m. Saturday Duo Sonics

Pioneer Tap Room, 4491 Suisun Valley Road. https://pioneertaproom.com.

6 p.m. Saturday Fat Kid Comedy

Pioneer Tap Room, 4491 Suisun Valley Road. https://pioneertaproom.com.

I Suisun City 3 p.m. Sunday’ ‘No Room’

Harbor Arts Center, 720 Main St., suisunharbortheater.org.

8 p.m. Saturday Crabs and Comedy

Marina Lounge, 700 Main St. www.marinaloungesuisun.com.

I Vacaville Noon Sunday Brette Alana & Alive Music Orchestra Nut Tree Plaza, 1661 E. Monte Vista Ave. www.facebook.com/NutTreeVacaville.

2 p.m. Sunday Stout Family Christmas Carol Band Nut Tree Plaza, 1661 E. Monte Vista Ave. www.facebook.com/NutTreeVacaville.

2 p.m. Sunday ‘Nutcracker’

Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre, 1010 Ulatis Drive. www.vpat.net.

4 p.m. Sunday Vocal Jazz Strollers

Nut Tree Plaza, 1661 E. Monte Vista Ave. www.facebook.com/NutTreeVacaville.

10 a.m. Saturday Live Music Center Jazz Band

Nut Tree Plaza, 1661 E. Monte Vista Ave. www.facebook.com/NutTreeVacaville.

1 p.m. Saturday Crossroads Singer Kids

Nut Tree Plaza, 1661 E. Monte Vista Ave. www.facebook.com/NutTreeVacaville.

Aaron Rosenblatt/Daily Republic file (2019)

Casey Ellis will serve as music director for “The Sound of Music” in the Missouri Street Theatre’s upcoming production.

Casey Ellis tackles dream role in ‘The Sound of Music,’ serves as its music director Amy Maginnis-Honey amaginnis@dailyrepublic.net

FAIRFIELD — Casey Ellis is playing her dream role in Missouri Street Theatre’s upcoming production of “The Sound of Music,” opening this week.

Ellis first saw the movie as a young girl and her love of the story was amplified when she played Liesl in her mid-20s at Berkeley Playhouse.

“I never imagined that I would have added on the dream of also music directing this show while also having earned the incredible honor of portraying Maria in this timeless classic,” she shared in an email.

“I want to bring her to life by being true to who she is: She is free-spirited, always referred to in historical texts as a tomboy and she has a strong need to fulfill her God-given purpose,” Ellis wrote. “And I feel that my godgiven purpose aligns with Maria’s; spreading the love of music and teaching music.”

Ellis gets to share the stage with

her sister, Vanessa Kearns, and her niece Crystal Kearns, who will be playing a nun.

The Von Trapp children include four of her private vocal students. The nuns have the pleasure of harmonizing with two of her students.

And, that is just the beginning.

“Sharing the stage with my best friend Dae Spering is also one of my favorite things in the world,” Ellis wrote. “And if my dreams couldn’t already have been so fulfilled already, my beautiful talented wife Melinda Ellis will be right there in the pit conducting the orchestra and making sure the entire musical runs beautifully every night.”

Captain Von Trapp is played by F. James Raasch.

Ellis and Raasch most recently paired as the Baker and Bakers Wife in “Into the Woods” and shared the stage in the fall in “Rocky Horror” and “Avenue Q.” Ellis share that in music rehearsals with the Von Trapp children “there is something so special happen-

2 and 7 p.m. Saturday Chapkis Dance Holiday Shows

2:42 p.m. an acceptable time to begin holiday drinking?

Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre, 1010 Ulatis Drive. www.vpat.net.

3 p.m. Saturday AMO Jazz Band

Nut Tree Plaza, 1661 E. Monte Vista Ave. www.facebook.com/NutTreeVacaville.

4 p.m. Saturday Vacaville High School Band

Nut Tree Plaza, 1661 E. Monte Vista Ave. www.facebook.com/NutTreeVacaville.

I Benicia

Daily Republic Staff

2:30 p.m. Sunday Don Bassey & Friends

drnews@dailyrepublic.net

Lucca, 415 1st St. http://luccabar.com.

6 p.m. Wednesday 5 0 Boyz & Wyldz

The Rellik, 726 First St. www.therelliktavern.com.

5 p.m. Friday Cloudship

The Rellik, 726 First St. www.therelliktavern.com.

8:30 p.m. Friday Mixx Company

The Rellik, 726 First St. www.therelliktavern.com.

2:30 pm. Saturday HMN2HM

Lucca, 415 1st St. http://luccabar.com.

9 p.m. Saturday Neon Velvet

The Rellik, 726 First St. www.therelliktavern.com.

I Vallejo 1 p.m. Saturday Dalt Williams Quartet

Vino Godfather, 1005 Walnut Ave. www.vinogodfather.com.

4 p.m. Sunday ‘A Hip Hop Christmas Carol’

Empress Theatre, 330 Virginia St. www.empresstheatre.org.

7 p.m. Saturday ‘Christmas: It’s That Time Again’ Empress Theatre, 330 Virginia St.

ing between us as I teach them their harmonies and songs, an added connection between Maria and the Von Trapp kids that I can only imagine will be beautifully translated on stage.”

Ellis began working with Missouri Street Theatre in 2017 and has become a staple on the stage or music directing, or both in the same show.

“This is one of the most special opportunities that I have ever had and I know I will cherish and remember this for the rest of my life,” she wrote.

“Playing Maria was at the top of my dream roles list, I just didn’t know that list could get any higher and it truly has with the addition of being the music director.”

‘The Sound of Music’ n 8 p.m. Saturday and Jan. 7 n 2 and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 19, Dec. 26, Jan. 2 n 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22-23. Dec. 30 n 2 and 8 p.m. Jan. 8 n 2 p.m. Jan. 9 n Downtown Theatre, 1035 Texas St., Fairfield n www.downtowntheatre.com

State’s top Christmas movie searches according to CenturyLinkQuote.

‘Home Alone’ tops list of favorite ‘90s Christmas movies Daily Republic Staff drnews@dailyrepublic.net

FAIRFIELD — Christmas is right around the corner and with the cult classic “Jingle All the Way” turning 25 this year, the Centeam turyLinkQuote wondered, which ‘90s Christmas movie is each state watching most this holiday season?

Data found that

“Home Alone” is the most popular ‘90s Christmas movie nationwide, with 14 states searching for it most (including Illinois, the state where the film takes place).

In addition to being the most popular ‘90s Christmas movie across the country, “Home Alone” is also the highest grossing film on the list, earning $476 million worldwide.

“The Santa Clause”

topped the search results in seven states.

The film, which has become a Christmas staple for fans, has won two awards, including Favorite Comedy Motion Picture at the 1995 People’s Choice Awards.

See the complete list at https://www.cent u r yl i n kq u o t e . c o m / resources/most-popular90s-christmas-movies.

FAIRFIELD — Detox.net, an online resource for finding drug and alcohol addiction detox centers, conducted a survey of 3,178 people to find out what time the average household considers an acceptable hour to start drinking over the festive season.

It turns out that 2:42 p.m. is the precise time that Californians consider an “acceptable” time to begin drinking over the holidays. It’s the same time as the national average.

Alaskans begin drinking earliest over the festive period at 12.30 p.m.

The survey also found that 17% of Californians admit that they bend the rules and drink before lunchtime.

The unofficial rule is that it’s acceptable to have your first alcoholic drink at 5 p.m.

“It’s five o’clock somewhere” is a cheeky reinterpretation of when it’s acceptable to have your first See Drink, Page B3

B2 Sunday, December 12, 2021 — DAILY REPUBLIC

Diversions

DAILY REPUBLIC — Sunday, December 12, 2021 B3

Celebrate an early Christmas with Tony Saunders and company at the Empress Theatre Daily Republic Staff

drnews@dailyrepublic.net

VALLEJO — Celebrate Christmas one week early at the Empress Theatre.

“Christmas: It’s That Time Again,” a gospel and smooth jazz experience, gets underway at 7 p.m. Saturday at 330 Virginia St. Two-time Emmy Award-winning bassist, composer and producer Tony Saunders is one of the performers.

Saunders has conquered the worlds of jazz, gospel, R&B, pop, rock and world music, earning the first of his two Emmys at age 14 for collaborating with his dad on the PBS documentary, “Soul Is.” By 17, he was playing with his father, keyboardist Merl Saunders, and Jerry Garcia on their collaborative projects.

The second Emmy was earned for his contribution on the TV show, “Digital Journey,” in the episode, “China: Their New Digital Economy.”

Saunders took one of his first musical lessons on piano from Herbie Hancock. John Fogerty’s brother Tom Fogerty launched him into the bass world.

Saunders will be joined by

Aaron Rosenblatt/Daily Republic

Vallejo’s Empress Theatre. singer, songwriter and recording artist Darrell Edwards, keyboardist Gail Johnson, singer/ songwriter Deanne Brewer and saxophonist Paula Atherton.

Saunders graduated from the Conservatory of Music in San Francisco. He embarked on a diverse career that has found him playing and recording with a virtual who’s who of popular music and jazz – including Eric Clapton, David Crosby, Dave Liebman, Les McCann, Dr. John, Joe Sample, Chaka Khan, Ringo Starr, Bo Diddley, Mavis Staples,

John Lee Hooker, The Hawkins Family, Jeff Lorber and Paul Jackson Jr. Over the years, he has scored films, corporate videos, TV shows and commercials, and produced many artists out of his own studio, Studio 1281.

In 2010, Saunders signed with indie label San Francisco Records after producing and arranging a project for the label.

His 2016 recording, “Jazz,” featured the first single, “Uptown Jazz,” which reached No. 5 on the Smoothjazz.com chart.

Four years later he delivered “Sexy Somethin.”

“My favorite part of my journey into the urban jazz genre is having the opportunity to work with artists I’ve admired for years who I am proud to now call my peers,” he said in press materials. “Gail Jhonson, Ray Chew and Magic were all producers who are family. I knew they would make me better. I know my dad, who passed away in 2008, would be proud of all I am doing now. He made me feel that I was worth a million dollars, and always held me on a pedestal no matter what level I was at as a player. It was always fun challenging each other and I know we would be doing that today if he were still here.”

Saunders is in the house band at the Blue Note in Napa, where he has also played with his own group.

Annually, he heads back east to perform in an all-star concert celebration of Jerry Garcia’s birthday at such venues as the Strand Theatre in Lakewood, New Jersey, and the Brooklyn Bowl.

For more information and tickets, visit www.empresstheatre.org.

Drink From Page B1 drink and could be used to shake off judgments when it comes to daytime drinking. But when it comes to the holiday season, when traditions are typically focused on celebrating the end of the year, rules can sometimes be bent.

A common perception of someone with alcoholism is the image of someone who drinks as soon as their alarm goes off in the morning.

Other people believe in the “hair of the dog” hangover-avoidance method, which includes having an alcoholic drink the morning after a big night out in an attempt to lessen or alleviate the symptoms of a hangover. Spoiler alert: This method merely postpones the effects of a hangover and can turn into a bad habit.

There are many dangers associated with drinking alcohol first thing in the morning, according to Detox.net.

They include: n It can become a habit. n You can get dehydrated easily. n You drink more than you notice. n You are more likely to end up in the ER.

Neil Young made ‘Barn,’ his new album, in a barn Geoff Edgers

The Washington Post

There was a full moon the night before. Neil Young, always attuned to the lunar calendar, headed with his dogs to the barn to meet with his bandmates that summer day. As he walked, framed by the Rockies, a new idea for a song popped into his head.

“I stopped with a piece of paper, wrote a little bit, stopped with a piece of paper, wrote a little,” says Young, 76. “When I got there, I just said, I got a new song.”

He told this to Crazy Horse: guitarist Nils Lofgren, bassist Billy Talbot and drummer Ralph Molina. Then he picked up “Old Black,” his customized Les Paul guitar.

“Listen,” he said. “When we start playing this, we want to play it like nothing else matters.”

That became “Human Race,” a blistering track on Young’s 41st album, the appropriately named “Barn.” The only overdubs on the song, which is his latest to take on climate change, are the harmony vocals, with Young and Crazy Horse chanting “children of the fires and floods.”

The version on the record has something that none of the other songs have, he says during a Zoom interview from his home in Colorado. “You can’t really put your finger on it, but when it comes, you go, ‘Oh, there’s something going on here.’

It’s a little out of control. What you hear is the first and last time we play it.”

It’s the version captured in the 73-minute film, also called “Barn,” that his wife, the actress Daryl Hannah, made about the sessions. The documentary is getting a limited theatrical release Dec. 9 and 11, and will be available on the AARP members-only site Dec. 10 through Jan. 10. It’s also on Blu-ray and will be included in the deluxe edition of the album.

For Young, “Barn” emerged as covid kept him at home.

“This is not a person who takes a break,” says Hannah, 61, who married the twice-divorced Young in 2018.

“Lockdown wasn’t a couch-surfing, pajama-wearing party for him.”

There is his Neil Young Archives website and plans to reissue 1990’s “Ragged Glory” and a recently discovered set of demos from 1987. There are the internet-only “Fireside Sessions” filmed by Hannah during the lockdown.

There is his lifelong obsession with sound, particularly everything analog, which he and Phil Baker documented in 2019’s “To Feel the Music: A Songwriter’s Mission to Save High-Quality Audio.” One thing still off the table: gigs.

Young, an acknowledged road-hog, even bowed out of September’s show for Farm Aid, which he co-founded. He said his partners, Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp, understood his decision.

“I don’t trust it,” Young says of the pandemic. “I don’t trust anything. I don’t think anybody knows what they’re doing.

I think they’re all winging it. They say one thing one week and two weeks later, something else is happening. We’re just way behind this thing. We don’t know how big it is. We don’t know anything. So I’ll do anything I can to stop the spread. ... Creating superspreader events is not really what I want to do.”

Instead, early this year, Young called up his longtime collaborators in Crazy Horse, now made up of Lofgren, 70,

dhlovelife/The Washington Post

A portrait of Neil Young by Daryl Hannah.

Talbot, 78, and Molina, 78. He asked them to come out to the Rockies in Colorado, where Hannah and Young have a home, to work on some songs. Nobody planned on making a full album.

“But literally, the day we got there, we went from one song to six and he kept writing,” says Lofgren, who was a teenager when he met Young while the latter was playing a gig at the Cellar Door in Washington, D.C. “Within 10 days, we had pretty much the whole record. It was very much like (1975’s) ‘Tonight’s the Night’ in the sense that we were learning the songs as we were recording. Very loose and raw. We never used headphones. We had a stage like a nightclub set up.” n n n The barn, more than a century old, sat on the property, slowly decaying until they decided to have it restored. By the time Young and Crazy Horse convened, much of the work was done.

It is not the Ritz. Sunlight slips through gaps in the log walls. There is no heat nor bathrooms. When the door hinges didn’t work right, Hannah got a tarp, covered it with dirt and mud and walked over it so it matched the decor.

They brought in a few portable toilets, though Young, as captured twice in her film, preferred to relieve himself by walking outside. Instruments were set up on a stage, as were microphones. When the players entered the room, they were greeted by a large photo of a smiling Elliot Roberts, Young’s late manager.

This is, of course, exactly not how records are usually made.

There were no soundproofed studios and isolation booths. Young didn’t want them.

Niko Bolas, his longtime producer and engineer, sat in a mobile studio truck outside. The instruments bled into each

other through the microphones.

Then there’s Young’s belief in the early take, whether he’s cranking up his Fender Deluxe amp, crooning a country ballad or producing the kind of processed electronics on 1983’s “Trans.”

“You can always overdub or do it again, but you can never do a first take twice,” says Bolas, who has worked with Young since the mid-1980s. “When Neil, particularly, or that band walks in they’re not thinking about making a record.

They’re thinking about each other. So, if you’re recording when everybody walks in, then you get all the mistakes that I say come from the angels.”

“Then you can embellish it. You’ve got ideas to make it better. Neil’s all about it; we got all day, that’s fine. But don’t mess with the first inspiration.”

Take their recording of “The Shape of You.” One day, Young sat down at a piano - not just any piano, but the one he used on 1970’s “After the Gold Rush.” He walked his bandmates through the chord changes for the shuffling love song. Then he realized something was missing: a chorus. So the singer repeated the words in the title three times, blew into his harmonica and, poof, the song was finished.

“When you’re singing it live, playing it, then the song is alive,” says Young. “If you do the song and you get it right, it’s always going to be right for the rest of your life.”

That philosophy does take some getting used to. On Hannah’s “Barn” film - she is credited as dhlovelife - she captured a band conversation where Lofgren talks about adjusting to moving on so quickly.

“You’d be like, ‘Wait a minute, I’m just getting to know the song and I’ve got all these ideas,’ “ says Lofgren.

Which is when Young declares the song is already done.

Molina laughs about teasing Lofgren upon his re-entry to Crazy Horse before 2019’s “Colorado” album. Guitarist Frank “Poncho” Sampedro had retired and, since 1984, Lofgren had been a member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band. (He remains in both groups.)

“We’re not the Archies,” says Molina.

“We play with heart, we play with feel and passion. Anything you learned from Springsteen, forget.” n n n The “Barn” sessions were captured by Hannah, who filmed much of it on her iPad. She shows the songs as they’re conceived, as well as capturing the chemistry of Crazy Horse. There’s Young improvising a profane ode to cold beer, which seems to be lacking during the barn sessions, and there’s a birthday party for Molina. There’s a hailstorm and also a mesmerizing peek into the barn as Lofgren ad-libs on the “After the Gold Rush” piano. He’s discovered by his band mates, who quietly watch.

“You know, there’s this famous line about Crazy Horse, ‘Don’t spook the horse,’ “ says Hannah. “They do not want to see a camera, they do not want to see a crew member. So you have to get very, very sneaky to get anything.”

The moments can be fleeting, as a song pops out and is suddenly finished. It’s a kind of delightful anti-polish, whether the way Young croaks a line in “The Shape of You” chorus or how he flubs a note on the solo of “Welcome Back.”

“It’s the real deal,” says Hannah. “It’s not like going for perfection over going for soul and spirit.”

There is a tendency, during these lockdown times, to read every moment of community as a great escape. During Hannah’s “Barn” film, she captures Young approaching Molina’s kit and declaring “I’m so glad we’re f---ing here.”

But Young says this has nothing to do with covid-19. It’s simply his appreciation for the moment.

And Molina thinks “Barn” may have been just the start of a Crazy Horse revival. He and Young recently talked on the phone about doing more recording, this time in California since an unheated barn in Colorado isn’t going to work in January or February.

Molina took the time to nudge Young about his songs. He’s fine with “Barn” but he wants him to think about writing longer epics in the spirit of his 1970s classics, including “Cortez the Killer” and “Like a Hurricane.”

Molina says that his favorite song on the new album is “Welcome Back,” which clocks in at nearly nine minutes.

As Molina says he told Lofgren, “I’m not telling Neil what to write. I’m just saying, I prefer if he plays with Crazy Horse to write in a way he gets to shine.”

So many of Young’s friends are gone - Roberts, producer David Briggs, the entire “Harvest-era” band - and there is no way of knowing how long he’ll be able to play. Young, though, says he feels better physically than he has in years. He walks regularly and has been doing exercises to strengthen a sore rotator cuff.

He’s also been wearing a special mask at night to deal with sleep apnea that he credits Hannah with helping to diagnose. (“I would stay up listening to him, hoping he’d keep breathing,” she says.)

“I’m hoping that I can (keep playing) so long that you can’t even keep track of it,” Young says.

B4 Sunday, December 12, 2021 — DAILY REPUBLIC

What is on your Christmas list?

I

used to dream as a child about Christmas Also in Proverbs, we read, “The fear and how exciting it was to get visited by of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

Santa and get some wonderful gifts from There seems to be no fear of the lord my mom and dad. from a majority of our nation and we That was many Christmases ago. are reaping the chastening of God. I spent most of my younger years buying Will we wake up before it’s too late? I every toy I thought would make me happy. hope so because I like to get good gifts.

My passion was race cars, and I eventually I fear the lord and look forward to owned and raced a top fuel dragster. the hereafter mentioned in our ScripLooking at this Christmas and the year Noel Reese ture. The Bible tells us, “Man is ahead, I wonder what’s ahead. Apparently, Religious view appointed to die once and then the devil has a new variant of the the judgment.”

Covid-19 to give around the planet.

Will you be prepared for that? If you cannot I’ve seen the headlines: There are supply pay for the sin you have committed here, the chain problems and things we were counting on second death awaits. may not be here in time for Christmas, if at all.

This time of the year we sing songs celebratFood shortages are predicted. ing the birth of Christ because he is the greatest Will we have more water and electrical gift given to mankind. He came to Earth for one shortages? Will crime continue to escalate faster purpose; to give his life in payment for all the than economic inflation? sins of mankind.

There are many warnings in the Old TestaWhat do we do? It starts with the fear of the ment to not move the ancient landmarks or lord. He is real like it tells us in the book of boundaries.

Romans; everyone should be able to tell just by For our nation, the boundaries on how we looking at creation that there is a God. He gave us were to live and govern were set by biblical an instruction book to follow and when we fail to standards. As our society has given itself over to follow it, that is called sin. Jesus paid the price the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the for every sin ever committed by giving his pride of life, those boundaries for us have been perfect life as payment in full. moved or erased. What or who will guide Confess your sins, ask his forgiveness and our future?

I was recently teaching from the book of accept a new life with an everlasting future.

Proverbs, and Chapter 23 Verses 17-18 tell us, Merry Christmas.

“Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be The Rev. Noel Reese is the pastor at Calvary zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day; For Chapel Rio Vista. He can be reached at www. surely there is a hereafter, And your hope will not be cut off.” calvarychapelriovista.com.

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columns

DAILY REPUBLIC — Sunday, December 12, 2021 B5

A man’s loss of his wife to cancer touches readers advice.” I never ever thought that I would need to write to you.

Dear Annie: I am Well, now I am eating asking you to reprint those words. your column with the In late August, I letter from “Neil,” who lost the most important person in my life lost his wife to cancer to inoperable pancreand was having a difficult time coping with atic cancer. My wife was Annie Lane diagnosed in June 2014, his grief. I am giving Dear Annie my copy to my brotherand despite the fact in-law, as he lost his that the cancer spread wife, my sister, to glioblasto three additional organs, she toma, a type of brain cancer, fought back. This amazing Nov. 1. Now I would like to have woman refused to let the cancer another copy. — Kansas Karol win. She went on with her life, Dear Kansas Karol: I’m and even though she received so sorry for your loss. Many chemo and radiation therapy were touched by Neil’s letter. on a regular basis, as well as Here it is. numerous medications, she Dear Annie: I am a 69-yearrefused to give in. old man who, until now, only I drove her to every doctor’s appointment and every read your column periodically. radiation and chemotherapy Each time I read your advice to appointment, as well as all over someone, I would say to myself, the country as we searched for “Hmm, that’s really good

The following column was published in 2017.

Horoscopes

clinical trials. However, after two-plus years, her fragile body could fight no longer, and she died in my arms.

The reason I am writing to you is that I am a total mess.

Friends and family are calling me to come to dinner. I don’t want to be around people as I grieve; I prefer to be alone all of the time. Our house is just as it was on the day she died because I simply can’t part with her things at this time. Yet seeing these things sends me into pain and sobbing sessions that may last for hours. I have completely lost faith in everything, and I don’t trust professionals. I have joined several grief support groups, but I do not find solace in them yet.

My wife and I spent 50 years of our lives together. She was my best friend, my soul mate and my only love. Without her, I feel empty and incomplete.

Although people keep telling me that things eventually will get better, I have my doubts. I am trying to take care of myself and to do the things I believe she would want me to do if she were still alive. The only thing I really have difficulty doing is sleeping. I would appreciate any advice you can offer. — Neil Dear Neil: I know that nothing I say can reduce the enormity of your loss – that my response may come across as cliched or maybe even a little hollow – because in the face of such grief, words look ridiculous and small. Still, I must say, with all of my heart, that I am so sorry for your loss.

In these times of deep grief, turn to the memories you and your wife shared. Let them warm you through the night like a blanket. They are eternal. No one can ever take those away from you. Your wife lives on in

your heart. Let her strength help you through this.

Be patient with yourself and permit yourself to grieve as long and as deeply as you need. But it sounds as if your wife was an amazing fighter, and she would want you to fight – to be strong, to wring as much joy and happiness out of life as you possibly can, every single glorious day on this earth.

You are blessed to have friends and family who want to lift you up. When you are ready, you will let them. One day, someone close to you will find himself in this same unfathomable situation, and your friendship will be his saving grace. Think how proud your wife would be to see you spread that love.

Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@ creators.com.

for your health

by Holiday Mathis

Today’s birthday In gaming matters, you level up skills and advance your station. Many of your purposes are as far away from the world of competition as can be. To score poetry and soul, love and art would be a reduction of joy and potential. Your expansive mind and dancing spirit create beautiful relationships in such realms. Leo and Virgo adore you.

Your lucky numbers are: 9, 8, 11, 4, 38 and 13.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). What you love will come alive in your world, influencing how you behave, your future plans and the company you keep. You’ll feel a real connection to a new aspect of your interest, or new interest entirely.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). When you have someone to share a pleasure with, the joy will double up on you. Meet with people who think like you and appreciate the same things.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Steer clear of anything involving justice. Unless you are paid to judge, it will not serve you to offer advice. You can offer support, love and a safe place to land without offering an opinion.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Most people are sophisticated enough to know how to talk and behave in various settings with you. There are those who will break the rules. Your gracious handling will not be appreciated in the moment, but in time, they’ll get it.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Money can’t buy intelligence, and dollars don’t add up to savvy. But what money can buy is experiences to teach the willing student.

You’ll bring astute awareness to the classroom of life.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Just as parents chasten the ones they love most, it seems you are being scolded by the fates.

You can take this as proof positive that you are a beloved child of the universe.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). This used to be your adventure time. That you’ve gotten used to it doesn’t mean it’s time for a new adventure, but a deeper one is certainly called for.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Stay away from questions like, “What’s the point?”

“Why?” “What does it mean?” Queries like these will only send you on a circular path when you would really rather go somewhere new.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21).

One thing not to do is confuse power with control. The boss may not know what the inner workings are, and those with their hands on the joystick may not reflect the motives of an entire organization.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). To throw good effort to the unappreciative is a waste. Then again, you don’t know until you do it and get nothing back. When you focus on a worthy candidate, you’ll get back everything you put in and more.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You could gather more information but it wouldn’t make you any more prepared. Your best guess is good enough. This is as certain as you’ll be. Move on with what you know.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You’re interesting to someone and because of this, you’re being observed. Don’t worry about projecting an image; you’re living it. You are who you are.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Child star Mayim Bialik blossomed in impressive directions, earning a Ph.D. in neuroscience and becoming an author and expert on attached parenting. This Sagittarius actress didn’t have to stretch IQ points to become “The Big Bang Theory” brainiac Amy Farrah Fowler. Bialik is a passionate, worldly Sagittarius, born when Mars was in quick-witted, intellectual and communicative Gemini.

Write Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis.com.

Dreamstime/TNS

It’s not realistic to think the holiday season will be stress-free, especially with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Tips to help tackle that holiday stress with its pandemic twist Sally Wyatt

Special to the Daily Republic

T

he holidays can often be a challenging time of year, especially for those who find, for whatever reason or circumstance, they are not able to spend it with friends or family.

But, as we enter yet another holiday hobbled by pandemic worries, this season may become even more challenging because there is no precedent for it.

For those feeling overwhelmed with pandemic fatigue, and the loss of life, health, family gatherings and traditions, here are some simple suggestions to ease the holiday blues, as offered

by Dr. Corinna Press, PsyD, licensed clinical psychologist for NorthBay Healthcare.

First, recognize what you are feeling, even if it stinks, Press advised.

“Avoidance or denial of emotions often make us feel worse.”

Instead, consider naming those emotions as the first step toward accepting them. Consider allowing yourself to feel them instead of trying to ignore them. If this is too overwhelming, do something else like going for a walk or drinking some water.

“If you do find yourself allowing the feeling to exist, focus on where in your body you are feeling it,” Press said. “See if you can connect the dots to what might have led to this moment.

Friendly curiosity is power here. The more you know of where and how you came to be feeling a certain way, the more specific you can be in helping yourself cope.”

Next, set realistic expectations. We all have certain ideas about what the holidays are supposed to be like and can become easily disappointed when things do not go as planned.

“Perhaps the uniqueness of this year doesn’t have to be the worst thing,” Press observed. “And, even if it is the worst holiday, ask yourself to name which part of it was the hardest and which part was a little less terrible.”

Press also recommended using music to soothe your soul. “Listen to favorite songs, ask others what they like, and then make a ‘Family and Friends’ Pandemic Holiday Playlist’ to share.”

Do try to remember that you are not alone, although it may feel that way, and with the sun setting earlier and the cooler days of December, a gloomy mood can prevail.

“Low mood and substance-related fatalities are more common during the winter holidays,” Press noted.

“Sometimes when feeling down, we experience a greater need to isolate ourselves from others. Try to resist this urge to avoid or ignore others, and instead try and make at least one connection a day.”

To beat these blues, challenge yourself to reach out to an old friend who you haven’t spoken with in a while. Talk by phone, text or video.

“Just do one a day and plan for recovery time afterward, but still do it,” Press said. “If you can’t think of anyone to reach out to, consider joining an online activity group, a support group, or talk with your primary care provider about a referral to counseling.”

Other efforts may be smaller but just as impactful. It couldn’t hurt to make eye contact or small talk with clerks at the grocery store, at your favorite coffee shop or when standing in line at the bank. You never know what kind of day others are having, and a smile from you may help them as much as it helps you.

Press personally tries to “walk my talk.” She is committed to saying five things she is truly grateful for – out loud, every day, for the rest of the year.

“Every time I start this I am resistant. At first,” she admitted. “But by the time I get to the third or fourth item, I actually feel like what I am saying is true. Try this on your own or with someone you care about; it can be powerful.”

Sally Wyatt is a public relations coordinator for NorthBay Healthcare, a partner of Solano Public Health.

B6 Sunday, December 12, 2021 — DAILY REPUBLIC

state

Meet the new climate refugee in town: coyotes Todd Woody Bloomberg

Amid the sylvan tranquility of the Berkeley hills neighborhood, an image of a snarling predator, fangs bared, stares down at passersby from atop a pole planted in the yard of a sprawling Tudorstyle home. “Danger!

“Coyotes!” the homemade placard warns.

It’s a sign of a growing climate-driven conflict.

Drought and heat waves are not only fueling catastrophic wildfires in California’s wildlandurban interface, they’re also driving coyotes and other wildlife into the streets in search of food and water, according to scientists. That’s triggering clashes among residents over an influx of four-footed climate refugees into the Berkeley hills and adjoining neighborhoods wedged between a vast regional park and San Francisco Bay. Tracy Richardson says she and her partner put up the sign after a coyote crossed into their yard on an August Sunday morning and growled at them and their three cats.

A week later, she says, a coyote snatched one of the felines and ran down the street. “Our cat was sitting like five feet from us and the coyote came up to get the cat,” says Richardson. “We’re doing this to stop the inevitable, which is a human is going to get attacked.”

Attacks on people are rare. But with reports of coyotes roaming the hills and preying on pets multiplying as California’s record-breaking drought drags on, the response from some in this affluent, ecologically self-conscious enclave has become increasingly dark. “I am in favor of shooting the most dangerous coyotes,” one neighbor declared on Nextdoor in August while another wrote, “Would be nice to see coyotes eradicated from the city.”

Richardson has hired a trapper, who placed a cage on their property. No coyote has yet been caught.

Urban coyotes have established themselves as a permanent presence in cities nationwide over the past two decades. Climate change, however, is now pushing wildland animals - coyotes, bears, bobcats, feral pigs, elk - into residential areas where food and water are abundant.

“Most coyotes will try to stay away from folks as much as they possibly can, but as droughts and fires get worse, they will have no choice but to move into human settlements,” says Christopher Schell, an assistant professor at the University of California at Berkeley who studies urban coyotes. “That sets up the perfect storm for human-coyote conflict.”

As climate change alters the habitats and migration patterns of wildlife, those confrontations are likely to rise, scientists say, compelling a reassessment of how humans share a landscape they and their pets have long dominated.

“It’s just an incredibly unrealistic expectation to think that we’re going to be able to keep wildlife like coyotes out of cities,” says Morgan Farmer, a PhD student researching urban carnivores at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “Our effort is better spent trying to understand how to coexist rather than to try and remove them.”

Tilden Regional Park is a 2,079-acre preserve of canyons, meadows, eucalyptus forests and oak and bay laurel woodlands that borders Berkeley and other East Bay cities.

Nearby residents have long lived with wildlife.

Families of deer amble

down winding lanes, grazing on carefully cultivated gardens. Gray foxes perch on backyard fences, scouting for squirrels. And on occasion, a mountain lion will leave Tilden for dinner in town, chasing deer through hillside neighborhoods.

Encounters with coyotes tended to be fleeting, a shadowy shape caught in the corner of the eye or in the headlights of a car as the omnivores moved through the hills at dusk and dawn.

During periodic droughts, though, daytime sightings become common as water and prey grow scarce in Tilden. Such contact - and the alarm it raises - was cyclical. As the rain inevitably returned after past droughts, so did some coyotes to the park.

Now, scorching heat waves and back-to-back droughts are upending that balance. California is in the second year of an extreme drought, and since October 2020, more than 1,000 acres of trees have died in East Bay regional parks. By fall, most of the parks’ ponds and streams had gone dry for the first time in memory, according to Doug Bell, wildlife program manager for the East Bay Regional Park District. That in turn precipitated a fall in populations of rabbits, squirrels and other coyote chow.

As water dries up, wild turkeys have descended into the flatlands, and residents have recently posted sightings of feral pigs rototilling lawns and bobcats bounding into backyards.

“It’s been mind-boggling and there probably has been a lot of movement of animals like bobcats and coyotes into the urban environment because we supply a lot of food, water and places for them to seek refuge,” says Bell, noting coyotes’ indiscriminate palate includes cats and other small mammals, fruit and just about anything edible that humans toss in the trash.

Across San Francisco Bay, the black bear population had been extinct in Marin County for 120 years with only rare sightings of individual animals over the decades. Then in May, a homeowner in the town of San Anselmo found a 200-to-300-pound bear clinging to an oak tree in her backyard, a block from downtown.

“There’s probably several bears in Marin County now,” says Stacy Martinelli, a wildlife biologist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, noting confirmed sightings over the summer In neighboring Sonoma County, a 500-pound black bear rambled around a neighborhood near downtown Petaluma last month before seeking refuge in a redwood tree. Martinelli has received so many calls from Sonoma County residents about bears that she is helping lead a two-year genetic study of the population that could shed light on whether climate conditions are prompting migration to cities.

She says Tule elk, which were not known to exist in Sonoma, have begun to show up in backyard gardens.

How many coyotes traverse East Bay neighborhoods is unknown, Schell says though planned research projects aim to pinpoint the population and its distribution. He says increased sightings of coyotes in part may be due to more people working from home and strolling their neighborhoods during the Covid-19 pandemic.

One indication of coyote numbers in the area comes from a 2017 study conducted by Farmer when she was a UC Berkeley student. She set up

David Paul Morris/Bloomberg

Researchers set camera traps during a study of urban coyotes in the University of California Berkeley Blake Garden in Kensington, Calif., Monday, Nov. 29. nine camera traps on trails in Tilden and captured images of coyotes over the course of a year.

Farmer determined that the park is probably home to six to 10 coyotes; likely many more live in the vicinity and may pass through Tilden.

“There’s a lot of tension between people who are really concerned about the safety of their children or their pets and people who really value the animals and their place in nature,” says Farmer.

Those tensions have intensified in recent months, polarizing an otherwise politically homogenous community where Joe Biden received upwards of 95% of the presidential vote in 2020 and “Hate Has No Home Here” signs dot the yards of $1.8 million houses.

Residents routinely post photos of coyotes trotting down streets during the day on social media along with reports of cats killed by the animals.

That’s generated hundreds of comments and petitions to local officials to reduce the animal’s numbers. One neighbor called coyotes “a parasite on human beings” on Nextdoor in August, prompting another to respond, “Coyotes have been living and hunting here since before European colonization. Are you actually advocating for a mass extermination of a species?”

Gina Farr is an environmental educator and advisory board member at Project Coyote, a Marin County-based nonprofit that promotes co-existence with carnivores.

She says such reactions express both an ancient fear of predators and a misunderstanding of coyote behavior in residential areas. Wildlife experts say coyotes rarely attack people and incidents mostly happen when a coyote has become habituated to humans who feed the animals or give them easy access to food.

“Coyotes are simply being attracted by a resource that takes very few calories to obtain,” says Farr, noting that keeping cats inside, dogs on leashes and putting food and water out of reach will minimize negative interaction with coyotes.

Kensington resident Marilyn Stollon says she started a spreadsheet of sightings in three East Bay communities after a coyote jumped a fence and chased her cat through a neighbor’s yard. She says she’s so far this year recorded 102 coyote sightings and 21 cats killed.

See Coyotes, Page B7

David Paul Morris/Bloomberg

A coyote warning sign stands in the yard of a residence in Kensington, Calif., on Nov. 29.

sol ano/state

Are cases in California and Bay Area about to surge?

Tribune Content Agency This time last year, the worst Covid-19 surge of the pandemic was in full force in the Bay Area and California, with cases rising sharply each day.

This summer, Californians saw another wave of cases as the delta variant tore through the country.

Now, coronavirus case rates have risen 37% in the Bay Area and 30% statewide just in the past week, according to data analysis

by The Chronicle. Though they are still less than one-third of their levels one year ago, the highly mutated omicron variant is raising concerns worldwide – and while only a handful of omicron cases have surfaced in the state, experts say more are sure to follow soon.

So what can the two previous coronavirus curves tell us about whether we will see another surge? And if we do, what will it look like?

Experts say that the larger pandemic picture has been different for each surge, resulting in different trajectories – much steeper and higher last winter before vaccinations were widespread, and less severe during the summer when the highly transmissible delta variant struck but vaccination rates were much higher.

And a new possible surge, even with omicron injecting uncertainty into the mix, would likely be tempered still further by progress in Covid-19 vaccinations and treatment, experts say – giving them hope that this curve will be flatter, resulting in fewer hospitalizations and deaths.

The recent increase in cases isn't surprising, UCSF infectious disease expert Dr. Peter Chin-Hong said, following increased travel and holiday gatherings, with the delta variant still circulating as the dominant coronavirus strain.

"We've seen it before, but the curve will hopefully be flatter this year," Chin-Hong said.

While cases may rise, he said, hospitalizations are unlikely to follow suit, "kept in check by high-vaccination and increasing booster rates, compared to last year."

Covid-19 vaccinations are now widely available, with 69% of the eligible state population fully vaccinated. In late October, the Pfizer vaccine was approved for children 5 to 11. Boosters are available for all adults, and the Food and Drug Administration just authorized them for 16- to 17-year-olds.

Additionally, monoclo-

nal antibodies are now available, with two new Covid treatment pills on the verge of approval.

"What this means is that we are in better shape . . . to keep people from going to the hospital and from dying even if they get infected," Chin-Hong said.

The winter 2020 surge in the Bay Area and statewide was marked by a homegrown California variant, which was about 20% more transmissible than the original strain, spreading during the infancy of the vaccine rollout. Hospitalizations reached nearly 22,000, overwhelming the state's health facilities.

"Clearly there was a big spike fueled by a non-immune population," said Dr. George Rutherford, an infectious disease expert at UCSF. Fast-forward to the early summer, after cases plummeted and continued a descent to early pandemic levels, many people had been fully vaccinated, and the country was relishing the "hot vax summer." At that time, the highly infectious delta variant began its takeover of unvaccinated pockets and increased the prevalence of breakthrough cases among vaccinated people.

Still, case rates for both California and the Bay Area were far lower than the winter surge levels, with much flatter and wider curves.

"Vaccines, vaccines and vaccines helped us weather the delta surge," Chin-Hong said. "Not only vaccines in general, but generally high uptake in the most populous areas in the state, and the availability of vaccines for adolescents eventually."

Chin-Hong said the curves were much steeper in many less-vaccinated countries.

Rutherford said the Bay Area's numbers, while they fluctuated and experienced small spikes, were "reliably small." The amplitude was shorter and slower, taking "less time to return to baseline."

But could the omicron variant throw a wrench in everything? Or could we see a less intense curve, especially in the Bay Area, with its higher vaccination rates and general compliance with Covid measures, including an indoor mask mandate still intact in most counties?

Chin-Hong said cases and hospitalizations will likely increase, "but nothing remotely close to what happened last year."

"This will mainly be due to delta first," he said.

"Omicron will become

dominant eventually, and we will see lots of breakthrough infections, potentially, but not a lot of people going to the hospital, particularly if (they're) vaccinated and boosted."

More than 200,000 vaccine doses a day are being administered in California, which Rutherford suspects are mostly boosters and vaccinations of children.

That, plus continued mask mandates, should "blunt the amount of transmission," he said.

He said while the current case trajectory is increasing, it's "not wildly out of control," and the news that a third dose of Pfizer offers strong protection against the omicron variant is promising.

Hospitalizations and deaths are key metrics to watch closely, experts said. They have declined overall and continue to remain very low for the vaccinated population, Chin-Hong said.

"An increase in case rates lead to mayhem and anxiety, missed days at work and school and rounds of testing and quarantining which cannot be underestimated," he said. "However, as long as people are not getting very ill and our hospitals can keep up with the folks who do, I will be very happy."

Though early data so far indicates omicron may cause milder disease, much is still to be learned about the variant. Though he called it unlikely, Chin-Hong said what could really make the situation go south is if fully vaccinated and boosted individuals start being hospitalized in large numbers.

"This will be a rallying call for a tweak on the vaccine and a whole round of additional shots," he said. "I don't think that will happen, however."

Rutherford said leading up to the spring, many variables will influence the virus' trajectory. They include the rate of pediatric vaccinations, whether vaccine immunity will wane again, and how susceptible other variants are to the vaccine.

The best-case scenario, he said, is that Covid-19 becomes endemic, and we will just need a reformulated booster each year.

"I'm thinking omicron really might replace delta with a milder form," he said. "That's totally speculative, wishful thinking. . . . But if that is indeed the case, by spring we may be able to walk away from this."

Santa goes virtual for military children Daily Republic Staff

drnews@dailyrepublic.net

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE — Santa is making the rounds virtually this holiday season with the Army & Air Force Exchange Service and Zuhoo.

Zuhoo provides a virtual platform for military families to chat with Santa and Mrs. Claus from the comfort

Coyotes From Page B6 “I do believe that once urban coyotes have been habituated and are rogue ... it may signal that those few need to be removed,” Stollon said in an email, adding that she now keeps her cat inside.

of their own home. Families can choose from a list of diverse Clauses who speak English, Spanish and also offer American Sign Language.

“No matter where their family is currently serving, it’s comforting to know that military children will still be able to see and chat with Santa,” Travis Exchange General Manager Phonda Bishop said in a press release.

“Plus, family back home can join at no additional cost.”

Registration is available at www.zuhoo.com/ military. From there, families can select their local Exchange and book their visit with a 20% military discount.

Pricing starts at $24.95 pre-discount.

Reservations are now available.

Other factors may drive coyote conflicts. Schell says research shows that coyotes favor green spaces most often found in wealthier communities that may regard the incursion of such outsiders as a threat. “The historical and contemporary legacies of inequality shape how we perceive and treat coyotes and how folks view their ownership of the land-

scape,” he says. “That will only get worse as fire and drought get worse.”

To Farr, trying to wall off neighborhoods from animals people find problematic is “like digging a hole in the ocean” - there’s always another wave of wildlife to take their place.

“We live in a natural world,” she says, “and we can never sterilize nature around us.”

DAILY REPUBLIC — Sunday, December 12, 2021 B7

US publication designates NorthBay Medical Center as ‘high performing’ in maternity care Daily Republic Staff

drnews@dailyrepublic.net

FAIRFIELD — NorthBay Medical Center has been recognized as “High Performing” in maternity care by U.S. News & World Report.

This is the first time the publication has published a list of Best Hospitals for Maternity, according to information from NorthBay Healthcare.

To earn the recognition, hospitals had to excel on multiple metrics that matter to expectant families, including complication rates, C-sections, whether births were scheduled too early in pregnancy, and how successfully each hospital supported breastfeeding.

Of approximately 2,700 U.S. hospitals that provide maternity services, only 237 earned the “High Performing” rating. It is the highest rating U.S. News & World Report awards for maternity services.

“This rating is a testament to the quality care provided by our team,” said Katie Lydon, senior director of Periop Services, Wound Care and Ambulatory Surgery, in the release. “We want our patients to know that we are fully committed to providing a safe, positive experience for mothers, babies and families by employing best practices across the spectrum of maternity services.”

“We have an exceptional team of caregivers who help welcome hundreds of babies into the world each year, with high-risk pregnancy and neonatal intensive care services if needed,” said Wayne Gietz, president of NorthBay Healthcare Group, in the release.

“We are extremely honored to be named one of the best maternity hospitals in the country.”

“This award confirms that our patients can have peace of mind that they are choosing a health care provider with a proven track record of providing both mother and child the most compassionate care and advanced medicine close to home,” said NorthBay President and CEO Konard Jones, in the release.

The award comes on the heels of another recent award for maternity care.

NorthBay Medical Center in October earned a spot on the California Health and Human Services and Cal Hospital Compare’s Maternity Honor Roll

Robinson Kuntz/Daily Republic file (2015)

NorthBay nurse Abbie Hoag, right, passes the newborn Jorge Javier Sanchez Jr. to mother Cristina Ramirez, left, at NorthBay Medical Center, Jan. 1, 2015. for achieving a statewide target aimed at reducing births via cesarean sections in first-time mothers with low-risk pregnancies.

The U.S. News & World Report honor also follows the magazine’s July Best Hospitals report that ranked NorthBay Medical Center as one of the top 50 best regional hospitals in California and rated it “high performing” in urology and six specific specialty procedures and conditions: diabetes, heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure, pneumonia and stroke.

“All families deserve to be informed on how hospitals perform on key indicators of quality, which is why U.S. News has compiled and published a trove of maternal health data from hospitals across the country,” said Ben Harder, managing editor and chief of health analysis at U.S. News & World Report, in the press release. “The hospitals we’ve recognized as High Performing meet a high standard in caring for patients with uncomplicated pregnancies.”

The Best Hospitals for Maternity evaluation looks at offerings for parentsto-be that include measures of safety, alongside services and amenities, like private rooms and availability of child birthing classes.

The evaluation looks at hospital data relating to only uncomplicated pregnancies, not high-risk pregnancies. Participating hospitals responded to a survey from the U.S. News & World Report health analysis team in the spring of 2021, which reflects data from 2019.

B8 Sunday, December 12, 2021 — DAILY REPUBLIC

Department of the Air Force reaches 95% Total Force vaccination rate Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

Senior Airman Alexander Merchak/U.S. Air Force

A child smiles during an Exceptional Family Member Program holiday event at Travis Air Force Base, Dec. 4.

Families had access to arts and crafts, music, a holiday movie, a visit from Santa Claus and received a gift bag.

Special Needs Task Force spreads holiday cheer at Travis Senior Airman Alexander Merchak 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE — The Exceptional Family Member Program Special Needs Task Force hosted a holiday event at the Contingency Response Support Squadron warehouse Dec. 4. 2021, for Exceptional Family Member Program families at Travis Air Force Base.

The warehouse displayed Christmas-themed decorations and the event included a visit and gifts from Santa Claus, arts and crafts, music and a holiday movie.

Kristine Gunther, Exceptional Family Member Program president of Special Needs Task Force and program volunteer, said that hosting the event was important because it helps build comradery, and assists families by providing a place where they can relax, be themselves and have a good time.

The Special Needs Task Force supports Exceptional Family Member Program by coordinating events through the help of volunteers.

Senior Airman Alexander Merchak/U.S. Air Force

Kristine Gunther, left, and Sena Lee welcome military families at the sign-in table during a holiday event at Travis Air Force Base, Dec. 4.

“Through donations, we were able to give out prizes, cupcakes and presents to every child that came,” said Gunther. “It was really great to see so many families show up and have a really good experience.”

To learn more about Travis Air Force Base Exceptional Family Member Program and the services they provide or how to help, visit https://www.travisafrc. com/efmp or https://www.facebook. com/AFRCTravis

Senior Airman Alexander Merchak/ U.S. Air Force

An Exceptional Family Member Program volunteer hands a child a cupcake during a holiday event at Travis Air Force Base, Dec. 4.

WASHINGTON — Dec. 2 marked the Department of the Air Force’s deadline for Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Airmen to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.

This final deadline for Department of the Air Force service members to be fully vaccinated resulted in more than 95% of the total force having at least one Covid-19 vaccine dose.

“Thank you to each total force airman who has met the responsibility to get vaccinated,” said Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall.

“To those yet to get vaccinated, the order is clear – take action now or be held accountable for failing to do so. This is about being ready to defend the nation, as well as protecting ourselves, our teammates, and our loved ones.”

Since the Secretary of Defense’s vaccination mandate Aug. 24, the Department of the Air Force set the most aggressive timelines amongst the military services to ensure total force members are protected.

“The health and wellbeing of our reserve citizen airmen is a readiness issue,” said Lt. Gen. Richard Scobee, chief of the Air Force Reserve and commander of the Air Force Reserve Command. “By meeting this deadline, our airmen are ready to execute the mission anywhere in the world, even in places where the Covid-19 vaccination rates are low and transmisdisease sion is high.”

Across the nation, guard and reserve airmen were directly involved in administering vaccines to their active component and civilian counterparts as each respective deadline approached.

“By taking an aggressive approach to vaccination, we are ensuring the health and readiness of the force, ‘’ said Under Secretary of the Air Force Gina Ortiz Jones. “Ultimately, we have to overcome this pandemic that’s taken the lives of over 700,000 of our fellow Americans. We’ve got to be mission ready—we’ve got to be vaccinated.”

Covid-19 screening tests are required weekly for all individuals entering a Department of Defense facility who are not fully vaccinated, including those who have an exemption request under review or who are exempted from the Covid-19 vaccination.

“Being vaccinated maintains our total force readiness that our nation depends on,” said Lt. Gen. Michael A. Loh, Air National Guard director.

“This vaccine ensures our success with our national defense missions. By taking this aggressive approach for vaccination, we are able to protect those around us, and maintain a ready and able force.”

Units will be responsible for running self-test programs and may reach out to either the Defense Logistics Agency Contact Center or their servicing Military Treatment Facility for assistance with ordering and purchasing the self-test kits.

349th Operations Support Squadron, 60th OSS work, succeed together 349th AMW Public Affairs staff TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE — When a major renovation of the 60th Operations Support Squadron’s office space forced them to search for new digs around early spring of 2020, their reserve counterparts at the 349th Operations Support Squadron knew just the right place.

“I just made the offer for them to move in with us,” said Lt. Col. Joseph Palacio, 349th Operations Support Squadron senior intelligence officer.

Palacio said he knew the 60th Operations Support Squadron needed to move out of their space for a period of time, so he had a few conversations with them about what they were looking to do in the meantime.

One idea was to set up trailers in a temporary location during the construction project that is supporting the 2023 arrival of the Boeing KC-46A Pegasus at Travis, but Palacio thought co-locating the squadrons was a workable solution for everyone.

“It’s always difficult to get out of your comfort zone,” said Maj. Brian Brewster, 60th Operations Support Squadron senior intelligence officer. “The vault that was in place had been located in our office for many decades.

When we found out Lt. Col.

Palacio had opened up his reserve office, it seemed like the perfect scenario.”

The new operation security vault currently under construction will be furnished with all new equipment, so the transport of items to the temporary location was minimal.

The move was smooth for the teams. With the 349th Operations Support Squadron vault in place, it was just a matter of walking in and getting to work.

“I know the 60th Operations Support Squadron is here during the week, and my force is here during the unit training assembly weekends, so it works out,” said Palacio.

“We left most of our area open to them. We roped off three offices for our reservists needs. Basically we said, ‘here you go.’ They did all of the leg work to make the transition happen and we went through the process of granting them access. ”Brewster credits the success of their teamwork to having early conversations with Palacio about how each unit would accomplish their work.

“The aircrews asked us how mission planning was going to work with the reserve and active duty all working at the same time,” recalled Brewster.

“Lt. Col. Palacio and I were the only two in the room and we were like, ‘We’re good.’”

349th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

349th Operations Support Squadron – 60th Operations Support Squadron emblems.

“We had a memorandum of understanding,” explained Brewster. “We had already defined the boundaries for how each of us would operate, and it has worked out phenomenally!”

The reservists are getting real time training amidst a real world mission. During a scheduled UTA weekend or on annual tour in active duty status, mission training is hands-on readiness.

In August when Operation Allies Refuge, noncombatant evacuation operation, in Afghanistan took place, the on call

60th Operations Support Squadron team arrived and immediately went to work briefing aircrews around the clock.

Situation reports and updates were changing hourly.

“Whoever was here for the morning briefings from the reserve team, were also invited to every single meeting.

They were included in our internal training as well,” recalled Brewster.

Another benefit was 349th Air Mobility Wing leadership and crews remained fully engaged on the tactics and conveyance

of timely information.

“Obviously, during the NEO our leadership was very interested in what was going on. We knew we were going to be flying on those missions, so it did end up being a nice benefit to have us all in one place. We were all able to stay on the same page,” said Palacio.

As an air reserve technician, Palacio is responsible for the well-being of traditional reservists, which includes a lot of administrative work. Getting thrown into an operational environment and processing all of

the incoming information was advantageous for him and his team.

“Listening to what active duty were doing and briefing was to be plugged in. It can be difficult when you mix two groups together that are all using the same equipment. Other than that, it’s working just fine,” said Palacio.

The 60th Operations Support Squadron will return to their permanent home upon the projected completion of the KC-46A three-bay hangar in 2023.

DAILY REPUBLIC — Sunday, December 12, 2021 B9

Devil Raider grapples in first professional fight Tech. Sgt. Luther Mitchell Jr. 621st Contingency Response Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIREDIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. — Anyone could see he was a fighter from the moment he sat down. His cauliflower ears bulging and thick from years of fighting. From his early teens, through college, and now the Air Force, he continues to do what he loves – fighting.

Fresh off his first professional fight, Senior Airman Griffin Broyles, 621st Contingency Response Squadron command support staff specialist, has been fighting most of his life.

Born and raised in Morristown, Tennessee, Broyles began wrestling at the age of 11. His direct mannerism conveys a nononsense attitude, something he says was instilled in him at an early age.

“My coach always used

to say, ‘Always speak and do in absolutes. No ifs, ands, or maybes!’ ” Broyles said.

Combat sports have essentially been Broyles’ life ever since he started wrestling. He’s never been good at or even interested in team sports, he said.

“I’ve always preferred to have everything in my own hands,” Broyles said. “It takes out the possibility of blaming someone else for my losses and makes me hold myself accountable in training.”

Broyles started practicing jujitsu in high school and took up wrestling at Middle Tennessee State University. He competed in the National Duals in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as a member of the 2015 National Team, where he spent two seasons there wrestling.

Still passionate about fighting, he enlisted in the Air Force in 2018 to continue fighting for his country.

Shortly after arriving at his

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Senior Airman Griffin Broyles, 621st Contingency Response Squadron command support staff specialist. first duty station at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, Broyles began working as a personnel specialist for the 87th Force Support Squadron military personnel flight.

He joined a local gym, practicing mixed martial arts.

When that gym shut down, he and his teammates trans-

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seizing the moment for motivating him to continue.

“At the end of the day, he was what pushed me to make the weight,” Broyles said. “When opportunity comes knocking, you open the door every time.”

Broyles dominated most of the fight with Zak Elfernani until one mistake cost him the match, he said.

“I was trying to pass his guard and felt I had a little space to stand up, but that little bit of space is exactly what he needed,” Broyles said. “He was able to get my leg, and when I tried to defend, he had already passed over. It was a wrap.”

Even though he lost, Broyles and promoters are happy with his performance. He looks forward to making a comeback soon.

“Hopefully, I get in after the first of the year,” Broyles said.

“They already said they are interested in having me back.”

A woman (Ashley Williams) and her sibling each find a new sense of purpose during the holidays in “Sister Swap: Christmas in the City.”

tonight’s schedule

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ferred to a different gym in Pennsylvania.

While there, some guys he had trained with, impressed by his ability, encouraged him to apply himself professionally.

He did. Not much later, Broyles got a call about his first professional fight against a very skilled opponent named Paul Capaldo. A week and a half before the fight, Calpaldo, unfortunately, hurt his knee, and Broyles was matched up against Zak Elfernani.

Broyles took the fight on a two-and-a-half-week notice and had to shave 20 pounds to take the fight.

Broyles started his weight cut at 176 pounds on Oct. 11, and

by Oct. 28 had made weight at 155 pounds.

“I was really serious about my diet and trained hard every single day, most of the time, twice a day,” Broyles said.

He notes setting a good example for his son Gabe and

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IBU IBU Speed Skating ISU World Cup (CC) IBU Chess Chess Mecum Auto Auctions (CC) Buddy Fitzgerald (NBCSP) IBU The Loud The Loud The Loud The Loud The Loud The Loud Movie ››› “Despicable Me” 2010 Voices of Movie ›› “Bee Movie” 2007 Voices of Jerry Mike & Mike & Mike & Mike & Friends ’ Friends ’ (NICK) House ’ House ’ House ’ House ’ House ’ House ’ Steve Carell, Jason Segel. ’ (CC) Seinfeld, Renée Zellweger. ’ (CC) Molly (N) Molly ’ Molly ’ Molly ’ (CC) (CC) Mecum 49ers Postgame (N) 49ers Postgame 49ers Postgame World Poker World Poker 49ers Postgame 49ers Postgame 49ers Postgame Warriors El Viaje: (NSBA) Final Drive Top 10 (Live) Ground The Jour Race in 49ers Cal-Hi Sports 49ers Sac-Hi Sports American Ninja War- American Ninja War- 49ers Cal-Hi Sports 49ers Sac-Hi Sports Sports Behind the (NSCA2) NHL Hockey Dallas Stars at San Jose Sharks Sharks Postgame America Report (N) (N) rior rior ’ (CC) (DVS) Report Stars Mask ›› “The Magnificent Seven” 2016 Denzel Washington. Mercenaries Yellowstone “Under a Yellowstone “I Want to Yellowstone “Keep the Yellowstone John is put in an awk- Movie ›› “The Magnificent Seven” 2016, Western Denzel (PARMT) Movie battle a ruthless industrialist in the Old West. ’ (CC) Blanket of Red” (CC) Be Him” ’ (CC) Wolves Close” (N) ward position. ’ (CC) Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke. ’ (CC) Susan Graver Style HP Computer Work.

Last-Minute Gift Sale (N) (Live) (CC) Tommie Copper Wear Shoe Shopping Just Reduced Tommie Copper Wear (QVC) Gourmet Holiday (CC) Movie › “Fantastic Four” 2015, Action Miles Movie ››› “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” 2017 Chris Pratt. The team Harry Potter: Hogwarts Harry Potter: Hogwarts Movie ››› “The Amazing Spider-Man” 2012 Andrew Garfield. Peter (TBS) Teller, Michael B. Jordan. (CC) (DVS) unravels the mystery of Peter Quill’s parentage. (CC) (DVS) Tournament Tournament Parker investigates his parents’ disappearance. (CC) (DVS) Universo 2021: Miss Universo 2021 La 70.o_ edición de Miss Universo. (N) ’ (Live) (SS) Miss Universo 2021 La 70.o_ edición de Miss Universo.

Miss Universo 2021: Noticias TYM Zona Decisio- Latinx (TELE) Miss Celebrando nuestras La celebración (N) ’ Telem mixta (N) nes ’ Now! (N) Day Fiancé: Before 90 Day Fiancé: Before 90 Day Fiancé: Before 90 Day Fiance: Before The 90 Days: Count90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days “A Leap of Sister Wives “Cistern 90 Day Fiancé: Before 90 Day Fiancé: Before (TLC) 90 the 90 Days ’ the 90 Days ’ the 90 Days ’ down To The New Season (N) ’ Faith” Caleb and Alina prepare to meet.

Wives” (N) ’ the 90 Days (N) the 90 Days ’ ››› “Star Wars: The Force Movie ››› “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” 2017 Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher. Luke Skywalk- Movie ›› “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” 2019 Carrie Fisher. Rey and Movie ››› “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” (TNT) (1:40) Awakens” 2015 (CC) (DVS) er comes to a crossroad when he meets young Rey. (CC) (DVS) her allies battle Kylo Ren and the First Order.

2015 Harrison Ford. (CC) (DVS) Teen Movie “Iron Giant” Movie “Iron Giant” Harry Potter King/Hill King/Hill American American Rick Rick Squid Joe Pera Movie ››› “The LEGO Movie 2” 2019 (TOON) Teen Jokers Jokers Jokers Jokers Jokers Jokers Tacoma Jokers Jokers Jokers Jokers Jokers Jokers Jokers Jokers Jokes Jokes Jokes Jokes (TRUTV) Jokers Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Two Men Two Men Two Men Two Men Two Men Two and a Half Men Two Men Two Men Two Men Two Men Two Men Two Men Two Men (TVL) Mike & Order: Special Law & Order: Special Law & Order: Special Law & Order: Special Law & Order: Special Law & Order: Special Law & Order: Special Law & Order: Special Law & Order: Special Law & Order: Special (USA) Law Victims Unit ’ Victims Unit ’ Victims Unit ’ Victims Unit ’ Victims Unit ’ Victims Unit ’ Victims Unit ’ Victims Unit ’ Victims Unit “Diss” Victims Unit ’ Prince Movie ››› “Coming to America” 1988 Eddie Murphy.

Movie ›› “Life” 1999 Eddie Murphy. ’ (CC) Movie ›› “The Longest Yard” 2005 Adam Sandler.

Movie “Coming to America” ’ (VH1) Prince

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B10 Sunday, December 12, 2021 - Daily Republic

0103 LOST AND FOUND Disclaimer: LOST AND FOUND ads are published for 7 days - FREE. Call Daily Republic's Classified Advertising Dept. for details.

(707) 427-6936 Mon.- Fri., 8am5pm

CONTACT US FIRST Solano County Animal Shelter

2510 Claybank Rd., Fairfield (707) 784-1356 solano-shelter. petfinder.com V i s i t PetHarbor.com Uniting Pets & People

0107 SPECIAL NOTICES Disclaimer: Please Check Your Ad The First Day It Is Published and notify us immediately if there is an error. The Daily Republic is not responsible for errors or omissions after the first day of publication. The Daily Republic accepts no liability greater than the cost of the ad on the day there was an error or omission. Classified line ads that appear online hold no monetary value; therefore, they are not eligible for credit or a refund should they not appear online.

Holy Spirit thou who make me see and show me the way to reach my ideal. You who give me the divine gift to forgive and forget the wrong that is done to me, and for all instances of my life with me. I in this short dialogue want to thank you for everything and confirm once more that I never want to be separated from you no matter how great the material desire may be. Pray this for three consequitive days and your wish will be granted. Promise to do some kindness, Amen.

0201 REAL ESTATE SERVICE/LOANS Disclaimer: Fair Housing is the Law! The mission of the Department of Fair Employment and Housing is to protect the people of California from unlawful discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations.

The Daily Republic will not knowingly accept any ad which is in violation of the Federal Fair Housing Act and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act which ban discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, familial status, and marital status.

Describe the Property Not the Tenant

0343 ROOMS FOR RENT Beautiful home. Very clean, quite. Lots of parking. Very safe. $750 mo. + 1st mo. & last mo. rent. Call 707-631-1546

Furnd. rm. $895. mo. + dep. Utils. incd., W/D, game rm., pool tbl. 530-848-1566.

0501 HELP WANTED

Online: dailyrepublic.com/classifieds

0501 HELP WANTED

Administrative Intake Specialist

Business client screening/support of the Northern California Veterans Business Outreach Center. Includes scheduling, organizing, implementing, managing, and communicating with clients. Excellent customer service & attention to detail are a must.

Wage: $19-24/hr. DOE Hours: Full Time Benefitted Location: Fairfield, CA Deadline: December 23, 5pm For details visit: https://hraps.hum boldt.edu/other-em ployment Live in Caregiver wanted for senior lady, w/ dementia. Room and board + salary.

Must have exp., & be vaccinated. N/S, Fem. prefd.

510-637-8257.

Emergency Services Coordinator II $78,216 - $95,073 APPLY BY 5:00 PM 12/20/21 The Emergency Services Coordinator II under general direction, prepares and revises emergency response plans for the County; manages and administers desig nated state and federal grants; manages alert and warning program; manages public information and preparation campaign(s); responds to emergencies and coordinates emergency response efforts of participating agencies; designs and delivers related training support for county emergency service workers, community groups, private industry, and volunteers relative to local jurisdiction plans; and performs other related duties as required.

Applications and additional information is available at: WWW.JOBSATSO LANOCOUNTY.COM

0501 HELP WANTED Looking for plumbing apprentices and journeymen for commercial plumbing work. Must be able to layout and read plans, and have own hand tools. Begin work ASAP on project in Fairfield, California. Wages DOE. Please send resume and references converseplmb@out look.com or call (530) 257-6957 for questions.

0509 MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES Up to $15,000.00 of GUARANTEED Life Insurance! No medical exam or health questions. Cash to help pay funeral and other final expenses.Call Physicians Life Insurance Company- 866-6040688 or visit www.Life55plus.info/d ailyrep

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1-855-993-0413 www.dental50plus.c om/republic #6258 Offer your home improvement expertise & services in Solano County's largest circulated newspaper. Achieve great results by advertising in Service Source Call M-F, 9am-5pm (707) 427-6922

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0629 FIREWOOD Informational: A cord of wood shall measure 4x4x8 and be accompanied by a receipt. Please report any discrepancies to: The Department of Agricultural / Weights and Measures at (707) 784-1310 Approx. 1/2 cord. Well seasoned Walnut & Prune wood. $90.00.

Oak $120.00 You Haul.

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Classifieds: 707-427-6936

0629 FIREWOOD Dry wood in large wood box. 3.5' Long. $125.00 707-673-2215

0631 FURN. & HSHLD. GOODS GENERAC Standby Generators provide backup power during utility power outages, so your home and family stay safe and comfortable. Prepare now. Free 7-year extended warranty ($695 value!). Request a free quote today! Call for additional terms and conditions. 1-707-7160674 The Generac PWRcell, a solar plus battery storage system. SAVE money, reduce your reliance on the grid, prepare for power outages and power your home. Full installation services available. $0 Down financing Option. Request a FREE, no obligation, quote today. Call 1-844-9232348

Classifieds: 707-427-6936

Online: dailyrepublic.com/classifieds

0633 GIVEAWAYS

0501 HELP WANTED

Disclaimer: GIVEAWAYS is FREE advertising for merchandise being given away by the advertiser (not for businesses, services or promotional use).

Limited to 1 ad of like item(s) per customer in a 60 day period.

4 line max. for all ads. Ads are published for 3 consecutive days in the Daily Republic, 1 time in Friday's Tailwind.

MARKETING SALES REPRESENTATIVE DAILY REPUBLIC, FAIRFIELD CA

Compensation: Commensurate with experience Benefits Offered: 401K, Dental, Medical, Vision Employment Type: Full-Time

Why Work Here?

“We are a vital part of our community and do good that helps to make it a great place to live and work.” The Daily Republic is a local media company in Fairfield, California. Besides the Daily Republic we publish Discover Solano Magazine, Solano Life, Gold Mine, Travis Tailwind and operate a jobs portal and combined digital events/ticketing platform. We have 150k+ monthly users across our digital properties and thousands of print subscribers. We are a proud part of McNaughton Media, a family-owned and operated media company with multiple news brands serving communities between the Bay and South Lake Tahoe.

We are modern publishers: we are an advertising wholesaler and distribute region-specific news and information across newspapers, magazines, iOS apps, newsletters, podcasts, special publications, pamphlets, flyers, Facebook Instant Articles, Apple News stories etc. We think our advertisers should be everywhere our customers are, across media -- along with us.

We offer creative services and enhance our first-party marketing offerings through partnerships with major technology companies. We are wholesale providers of all kinds of advertising, from Pandora, to Hulu, to whatever is next in consumer technology. Through our partners, we have access to 98% of advertising supply and maintain Premier Partner status with Google. We give our local businesses a seat at the table for cutting-edge digital advertising technologies.

The primary role of a Marketing Sales Representative is to help marketers at small to medium-sized businesses meet their goals by growing revenue for both their company and ours. She or he does this by working with local companies to map out their sales funnel and offer the right media products to provide them with advertising to the right customer, at the right time, in the right place.

We learn about customer needs, co-develop campaigns to meet those needs, execute creative graphics to achieve results and optimize delivery to ensure success.

A Media Sales Representative develops and presents multimedia sales campaigns to meet the diversified needs of our customers and maximize customer ROI.

• Develops and demonstrates expert knowledge and understanding of all

McNaughton Media sales and marketing assets, including all newspaper products, digital products and digital marketing services such as SEO and SEM. • Represent and embrace new, non-traditional products and services that the company may introduce as we look to diversify new revenue streams that capitalize on our customer base and local scale.

• Effectively communicates with sales management to provide accurate revenue forecasts and market intelligence.

• Cold calls previous customers and new companies to book meetings to assess their needs and showcase our capabilities.

• Maintains the highest levels of personal and professional behavior in the workplace and in the market.

• Drives customer retention through excellent customer service.

Position Requirements Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: • Knowledge of competitive media and marketing landscape; use for new

business development and sales analysis.

• Ability to prospect new business via cold calling and other prospecting techniques including social media where applicable • Highly motivated, self-starting individual with initiative and drive to succeed • Ability to close new business and exceed sales targets • Understands that it takes “no’s” to get to “yes.”

• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to build and deliver effective presentations to different experience levels.

• Strong networking and community involvement.

• Eagerness to learn, continually seeking to improve.

• Strong time management and follow-up skills.

• Organized with an attention to detail.

• Must possess a valid state driver’s license, cell phone and reliable transportation.

Education & Experience: • B.A. preferred, but not required, depending on experience.

• A minimum of one year of sales experience, preferably in outside sales, is

required. (Media sales not required, but some sales experience is a must.)

• Prior experience in digital marketing is highly desirable.

Report Job Company address: 1250 Texas Street., Fairfield, CA 94533

Send resume to bill.barno@mcnaughton.media

Daily Republic - Sunday, December 12, 2021

0633 GIVEAWAYS

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PICK UP AT BACK OF DAILY REPUBLIC 1250 TEXAS ST. TUESDAY - FRIDAY, 8AM -5PM. 1st COME, 1st SERVE

“We are a vital part of our community and do good that helps to make it a great place to live and work.” The Daily Republic is a local media company in Fairfield, California. Besides the Daily Republic we publish Discover Solano Magazine, Solano Life, Gold Mine, Travis Tailwind and operate a jobs portal and combined digital events/ticketing platform. We have 150k+ monthly users across our digital properties and thousands of print subscribers. We are a proud part of McNaughton Media, a family-owned and operated media company with multiple news brands serving communities between the Bay and South Lake Tahoe.

We are modern publishers: we are an advertising wholesaler and distribute region-specific news and information across newspapers, magazines, iOS apps, newsletters, podcasts, special publications, pamphlets, flyers, Facebook Instant Articles, Apple News stories etc. We think our advertisers should be everywhere our customers are, across media -- along with us We offer creative services and enhance our first-party marketing offerings through partnerships with major technology companies. We are wholesale providers of all kinds of advertising, from Pandora, to Hulu, to whatever is next in consumer technology. Through our partners, we have access to 98% of advertising supply and maintain Premier Partner status with Google. We give our local businesses a seat at the table for cutting-edge digital advertising technologies.

The primary role of a Graphic Artist is to create messaging to help marketers at small to medium-sized businesses meet their goals by growing revenue for both their company and ours. She or he does this by working with sales reps to provide compelling creative to reach the right customer, at the right time, in the right place. We learn about customer needs, co-develop campaigns to meet those needs, execute creative graphics to achieve results and optimize delivery to ensure success. You may also be assisting with page layout and design for various special sections and publications.

Responsibilities of a Graphic Artist: • Create and design various ad materials for print and digital use • Create and design pages for various sections and special publications • Ensure projects are completed with high quality and within tight deadlines • Prioritize and manage multiple projects within design specifications • Work within a wide range of media (photos, pdfs, jpgs, customer provided artwork)

Position Requirements Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: • Proficient using Adobe Creative Suite graphic design software a must with

an emphasis on InDesign and Photoshop ( Sketch &amp; Premier Pro knowledge a plus) • Understanding of layouts, graphic fundamentals, typography, print, and the web • Familiarity with HTML and CSS preferred • Compelling portfolio of work over a wide range of creative projects • Knowledge of social media platforms (Instagram & Facebook) • Strong analytical skills • Excellent eye for detail

Education & Experience: • B.A. preferred, but not required, depending on experience.

• 3-5 years of experience in print graphic design • Previous experience with local media a plus Report Job Company address: 1250 Texas Street., Fairfield, CA 94533

Send resume to bill.barno@mcnaughton.media

IN THE FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT OF UTAH COUNTY PROVO DEPARTMENT, STATE OF UTAH UNIVERSITY PLACE SPE L.L.C, a Utah limited liability company,

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT THE FOLLOWING PERSON (PERSONS) IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS MOUSSE AND GANDER LOCATED AT 1565 FairOaks Ct, Fairfield CA 94534 Solano. Mailing Address 1565 FairOaks Ct, Fairfield CA 94534. ARE HEREBY REGISTERED BY THE FOLLOWING OWNER(S) Eladio Miranda 1566 FairOaks Ct Fairfield, 94534. THIS BUSINESS IS CONDUCTED BY: an Individual The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 11/18/2021 I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) /s/ Eladio Miranda IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920 A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION Nov. 17, 2026 THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE).

Filed in the Office of the County Clerk of Solano County, State of California on: Nov. 18, 2021 New ASSIGNED FILE NO. 2021002280 CHARLES LOMELI, Solano County Clerk DR#00051436 Published: Dec. 5, 12, 19, 26, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Solano County Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund is currently accepting applications for the 2021/2022 grant awards

Plaintiff,

To download an application, go to www.solanocounty.com/parks, and click on the “Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund Grants” link in the Options bar.

vs.

OR Contact: Chris Drake, (707) 784-6765 crdrake@solanocounty.com

TAULA TAEI, an individual, d.b.a. REFRESHED SHOE CLEANER, and KE’LANI K. FREEMAN, an individual Defendants.

S U M M O N S (30 days) Civil No. 210401019 Judge: Kraig Powell THE STATE OF UTAH TO DEFENDANT TAULA TAEI, individually and dba REFRESHED SHOE CLEANER: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to file an answer in writing to the Complaint in the above entitled matter filed with the Clerk of the Fourth Judicial District Court, Provo Department, 137 N Freedom Blvd. Suite 100, Provo Utah 84601, and to serve upon, or mail to Reid Tateoka of McKay, Burton & Thurman, 15 West South Temple, Suite 1000, Salt Lake, Utah 84101, a copy of said answer, within thirty (30) days after the last day of publication.

If you fail so to do, judgment by default will be taken against you for the relief demanded in said Complaint which has been filed with the Clerk of said Court. You may obtain a copy of the complaint by requesting one from the clerk of the court at the below address.

The address of the Fourth Judicial District Court is: Clerk, Fourth District Court 137 N Freedom Blvd.

Suite 100 Provo, UT 84601 DATED this December 2nd, 2021.

McKAY, BURTON & THURMAN /s/ Reid Tateoka Reid Tateoka Attorney for Plaintiff DR#00051440 Published: Dec. 5, 12, 19, 26, 2021

SELL YOUR STUFF

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NOTICES

GRAPHIC ARTIST

DAILY REPUBLIC, FAIRFIELD CA

Why Work Here?

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0641 MISC. FOR SALE 0645 MISC. WANTED OR TRADE

PUBLIC

0501 HELP WANTED

Compensation: Commensurate with experience Benefits Offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K Employment Type: Full Time / Part Time

0639 LAWN & GARDEN

B11

Deadline to submit application is Monday, January 10, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.

DR#00051466 Published: Dec. 12, 26, 2021 NOTICE FOR VIRTUAL PUBLIC MEETING CONSULTATION FOR DBE PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES AT NUT TREE AIRPORT (VCB) Solano County has established a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program for the Nut Tree Airport (VCB) in accordance with regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 49 CFR Part 26. The Nut Tree Airport (VCB) anticipates it will receive Federal financial assistance from the Department of Transportation, and as a condition of receiving this assistance, the Nut Tree Airport (VCB) has signed an assurance that it will comply with 49 CFR Part 26.

As per section Part 26.45, in establishing the upcoming DBE goals for Federal Fiscal Years (FFY) 2022/2023/2024, a public/consultation meeting will be held on December 16, 2021 at 1:00 PM through a virtual meeting online through a link posted on the Nut Tree Airport Website, www.flynuttree.com, for the purpose of discussing potential opportunities for DBE participation in upcoming projects, gain input, and to answer questions.

All interested parties are invited to attend which may include (but not limited to) minority, women’s and general contractor groups, community organizations, and other officials or organizations who may have interest or information pertinent to the implementation of the Owner’s DBE Program. The meeting is not mandatory for DBE participation on projects at the Nut Tree Airport (VCB).

You can also join the meeting Audio Only: tel:+18722401286, meeting ID 324128961# Questions regarding the meeting or requests for call line shall be directed to: Solano County Government Center General Services Director, DBELO Megan Greve 675 Texas Street, Suite 2500 Fairfield, CA 94533 707/ 784-7900 MMGreve@SolanoCounty.com DR#00051138 Published: Nov. 24, 28, Dec. 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 2021

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT THE FOLLOWING PERSON (PERSONS) IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS XUNA AESTHETICS LOCATED AT 3000 Alamo Dr Suit 101, Vacaville CA 95687 Solano. Mailing Address 148 Wykoff Drive, Vacaville CA 95688. ARE HEREBY REGISTERED BY THE FOLLOWING OWNER(S) Cura Aesthetic Medicine CA Vacaville, 95688. THIS BUSINESS IS CONDUCTED BY: a Limited Liability Company The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) /s/ Sundance McGuire IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920 A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION Nov. 30, 2026 THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE).

Filed in the Office of the County Clerk of Solano County, State of California on: Dec. 1, 2021 New ASSIGNED FILE NO.2021002325 CHARLES LOMELI, Solano County Clerk DR#00051417 Published: Dec. 5, 12, 19, 26, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT THE FOLLOWING PERSON (PERSONS) IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS ICU BUTTERFLY HOUSE LOCATED AT 325 Merganser Dr #81, Suisun City, CA 94585 Solano. Mailing Address 325 Merganser Dr #81, Suisun City, CA 94585. ARE HEREBY REGISTERED BY THE FOLLOWING OWNER(S) Shari King 2436 Hanson Dr Fairfield, 94533. THIS BUSINESS IS CONDUCTED BY: an Individual The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) /s/ Shari King IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920 A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION Nov. 7, 2026 THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE).

Filed in the Office of the County Clerk of Solano County, State of California on: Nov. 8, 2021 New ASSIGNED FILE NO. 2021002221 CHARLES LOMELI, Solano County Clerk DR# 00051028 Published: Nov. 21, 28, Dec. 5, 12, 2021

B12 Sunday, December 12, 2021 — DAILY REPUBLIC

Do you know your own financial goals?

N

ew Year’s perhaps the most resolutions are crucial part, the topic of be­cause without a interest each year record of your for many people. ideas and goals, Unfortunately, your memory may most people won’t fade and you will create meaning­ful never develop a goals, or won’t plan to achieve follow them.

Mark Sievers those goals.

Indeed, most Developing Wealth matters people view written goals has reso­lutions as a list of another benefit, for it things they really don’t forces you to examine want to do but should. your dreams, to underInstead of this attitude, stand yourself, to set try to view setting goals as prior­ities and to plan to a positive experience. You achieve these goals. The will enjoy it much more process can and and have better results. should be fun.

Dream a little bit and try Let me give you a to convert the dreams to framework for the reality with a plan. process, and then use Managing your some quiet time to develop personal finances is not an your own ideas and goals. easy matter, but to be Start by writing down effective you must broad general ideas, such understand yourself. as retirement. Put each Many times, events seem major goal on a separate to overwhelm our plans to sheet of paper. Don’t save, invest and prepare worry about being specific for the future. The best yet, just get all the ideas some people can do is to down and give some react to the events and thought to your priorities hope that the results are among the various goals. acceptable. This is not an Next, start to be effective way to increase specific. Begin to describe your wealth or your what each of those goals happiness. You must take really means to you. the initiative and control These are the objectives. the situations if you really Consider a time frame, intend to succeed and the characteristics financially. which describe your goal.

To be in control, you For example, what does a must have a clear picture comfortable retirement of your future financial mean to you? Where will needs. This requires some you live? What activities thought on your part. do you favor? Remember, Determining your goals can be vague, but ambitions and financial objectives are specific. needs is a very personal During this process, process which is neglected keep asking yourself, “Do all too often. Everyone I have enough details to be should spend some time clear?” Continue to add dreaming about what they specific details until you want to achieve. Such have answered this dreams can include question. Then ask everything from a new yourself another question: car, educating a child or a “With this list of specific retirement plan. Too few requirements, could people really do such someone else plan what I planning. A sad fact is that want?” If not, continue to people spend more time refine your description planning for a vacation until someone else could than for their finanunderstand the cial future. plan for you.

Develop your dreams, Set aside the paper for and then take the addiseveral days and then tional time to put those review it in two ways. ideas on paper. This is First, do you still agree

12/12/21

Fill in the blank cells using numbers 1 to 9. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and 3x3 block. Use logic and process of elimination to solve the puzzle. The difficulty level ranges from Bronze (easiest) to Silver to Gold (hardest).

© 2021 Janric Enterprises Dist. by creators.com

Janric Classic Sudoku

Difficulty level: GOLD Solution to 12/12/21:

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Commissary website saves time, offers ideas for festive shopping

with the details you listed?

Second, is the description complete, or have you thought of other characteristics which are necessary? After this review, you should have a clear understanding of your goal.

This process can apply to intangible goals, such as preparing for a “comfortable retirement,” as well as tangible ones, such as buying a boat. The primary ingredient is your time and interest.

Once you have stated your goals and the objectives are clear, you can determine the cost of the goal. Based on this information, you can develop a plan to achieve the goal in the time frame you desire. This will require a savings and investment program, but that will be a topic for a later column.

Above all, you must understand yourself.

Think carefully and investigate before you act or invest. Enjoy your resolutions and goals for this year.

Rick Brink DeCA public affairs specialist

Good food makes for good occasions, and commissary shoppers looking to make the most out of winter holiday meals and gatherings now have even more ways to save time and money thanks to Commissary Click2Go and other webbased services.

“The worldwide rollout of our internet-ordering, curbside-pickup service was completed just a couple months ago, so, for the first time in commissary history our customers worldwide are enjoying the convenience online grocery shopping brings,” Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Michael R. Saucedo, senior enlisted adviser to the Defense Commissary Agency director, said in a press release.

“And during the holidays we want our patrons to know how the recipes, sales and promotion information, and other features on www.commissaries.com can help them use their commissary benefit to make their events more festive while saving money in the process,” he added.

Mark Sievers, president of Epsilon Financial Group, is a certified financial planner with a master’s in business administration from the University of California, Berkeley. Contact him by email atmark@ wealthmatters.com.

It all starts with the commissary being a fullservice grocery store offering fresh produce, fresh meats, a wide variety of canned and packaged food items, along with frozen and chilled products, all at low prices to suit any taste or budget. Commissaries also feature a broad lineup of store brand products, and this time of year there’s a wide assortment of seasonal products and food items, especially at the deli-bakeries found in most stores.

With all those goods and services available in the stores, here are some features of the commissary website that can save additional time and money: n Commissary Click2Go: Your online shopping and curbside pickup service accessed from your desktop or mobile device, and for now, there’s no service fee. Visit the How Commissary Click2Go Works page for additional information such as payment accepted details, coupons, etc. n Health and Wellness Resources: Find reasons why eating meals at home is a better choice

and the tools to help you do it. There’s a printable dietitian-approved dinner meal plan, access to “No Fuss Entrees” and a weekly meal planner worksheet. n Recipes: Featuring a wide variety of recipes easily browsed by main ingredient, dish type (main course, appetizers, etc.), or category (kid friendly, 20-minute meal). The DietitianApproved Thumb designation makes it easy to identify healthy foods that are dense in nutrition from lean proteins, healthy fats and whole grains, etc. n Sales Flyer: Find out what’s on sale and how much it costs before you go to your commissary.

“This year, more than ever before, my family and I are enjoying the value and savings the commissary brings us during the winter holidays, a time when good food is such an important part of our lifestyle,” Saucedo said in the press release. “Now’s a great time for every commissary-authorized shopper to make the most of their benefit with the added convenience and value available through our website.”

Los Angeles Times Sunday Crossword Puzzle edited by rich norris and Joyce nichols Lewis

PreP Course

By Gary Larson

ACross

1 Guitarist Paul 4 Flamboyant Dame 8 Play with a receiver 12 Chance to roll the dice, say 16 In the archives 19 Wishes undone 20 Specialty 21 Customizable cookie 22 Ship’s accountant 23 Like members of Gamblers Anonymous?

26 Tiny racer 28 Resort town NNE of Santa Fe 29 Chopin wrote a “Revolutionary” one 30 Assembled 31 Put-__: masquerades 34 Former British automaker 38 Autumn flower 40 Like a popular crusader 43 King Cole and others 47 Federal biomedical agcy.

48 Like a church deacon?

52 Draft status 53 What a shortage suggests 55 “This is the truth” 56 Hang out in the sun 58 “Splendor in the Grass” screenwriter 59 First name in Israeli statehood 60 Plagued 63 Sister of the moon goddess Selene 64 Listening aid 66 Wafer brand 67 “The Far Side” cartoonist Larson 69 Like a balloon company with a depleted helium supply?

75 Subdue, as a color 76 Sailor’s “Stop!”

77 Utah national park 80 Beach tone 81 Cheap hooch 83 Muff 87 Rope material 88 Cello-supporting rod 90 Support for a big top 92 Boo-boo 93 Aspersion 94 Like one shopping for disposable phones?

98 List-ending abbr.

99 Saturn moon named for a Titan 101 Yoga posture 102 Get a load of 104 American League East city 107 Farm clucker 108 Back muscle,

(c)2021 Tribune Content Agency, LLC. All rights reserved.

briefly 109 Three-time Tony winner Rivera 112 Sitar music 115 Classic jazz nickname 119 Like supporters of a Seattle daily?

125 One-dimensional 126 Seven-time Wimbledon winner 127 “Relax, I’ll take care of it!”

128 European luxury wheels 129 Eye 130 Soul mate?

131 Gear teeth 132 Dutch word meaning “farmer” 133 Bank deposit, perhaps

Down Directory name Sister of Orestes Flu fighters Horse-andbuggy, e.g.

5 Enjoyed, in slang 6 Bar order 7 Actor __ Kate Dillon of “Billions” 8 So last year 9 Museum focus 10 Raft, or where you might see one 11 Actor Mineo 12 Toddler’s train sound 13 Pakistani tongue 14 Comedian Foxx 15 Wine quality 1 2 3 4

16 Special or black follower 17 Nada, to Noël 18 Like sausage’s main ingredients?

24 Easter opening?

25 Camera option 27 Ornate 18th-century style 32 Kind of architect 33 Opposite of save 35 WC 36 Poorly 37 Throw into confusion 38 “It’s the HardKnock Life” soloist 39 Tuscany city 41 Blues singer James 42 FedEx rival 44 Like one caught in a storm?

45 Brown in a Croce song 46 Opines, for instance 49 Beehive, e.g.

50 Peak in an Eastwood movie 51 Fight with foils 54 Coming-out 57 Lawn tool 61 Commonly injured knee part, briefly 62 Trouble 65 Where embryos grow 66 Annual coll. hoops competition 68 Dried chili pepper 70 Budgetary

12/12/21

excess 71 Family-friendly rating 72 __ cuisine 73 Dimethyl sulfate, e.g.

74 “Politically Incorrect” host 75 Virile 78 Throws off 79 Technical details 80 New Age pianist John 82 Walking __ 83 Heat meas.

84 Talk show host in the National Women’s Hall of Fame 85 Metric weight 86 Bankrupts, with “out” 89 Spruce up 91 Magic org.

95 Rock’s __

Fighters 96 Old Opry network 97 More crude, language-wise 100 Stable color 103 Rigg co-star on “The Avengers” 105 Long hikes 106 Muesli morsel 109 Longtime NYC punk rock club 110 Sub 111 “If __ a Hammer” 113 The “Gee” in Bee Gees 114 Water, in some pistols 116 Purina rival 117 Goat quote 118 Table scrap 120 Sleepy cohort?

121 Ref’s ruling 122 Slop slurper 123 Fleecy one 124 Ukr., once

Last Sunday’s Puzzle Solved

DAILY REPUBLIC — Sunday, December 12, 2021 B13

Good news, good chat Covid-19 booster experience highlights about cancer surgery cumbersome vaccine screening process

S

ometimes things just aren’t what you expect them to be.

Maybe I should say usually instead of sometimes.

Cancer surgery? I had already been convinced it was not a life-threatening procedure. But, just the idea of being cut on had made me pretty edgy. Turns out I had no reason to be.

Wednesday morning after the Deplorables breakfast, I headed over to Kaiser Permanente Vacaville Medical Center for the surgery.

Dear friend Larry Welch had been through the skin cancer operation several times and he took me right in. Got there about 10:15 a.m.

A sweet nurse talked me through the upcoming procedure; I began to feel almost comfortable.

Then my surgeon came in and introduced himself as Dr. Kenny Joseph Omlin. A young, friendly guy. He really surprised me. He sat down, took my hand and said, “Before we get started, Let me tell you a story.”

And he did.

When he was a second-year medical student in Toledo, Ohio, he stayed with a Danzeisen family. A happy stay.

When he got his MD, he came to Kaiser as a dermatology specialist. He noticed that one of the doctors here was named Danzeisen. My Dr. D. He called Dr. D and asked him if he knew the Danzeisens in Toledo. Dr. D replied, “Yes, that is my dad, Milo.”

It’s a small world. We laughed. Dr. D has been my personal physician for almost 20 years. More my friend than just my doctor.

At this point, I felt confident that everything would be fine.

And it has been.

The operation went without a hitch. The bandage on my ear

Murray Bass Plan to live looked like an elephant’s ear. It was to come off in 48 hours.

I had hoped that the med techs here at the Terrace would help me remove the bandage.

But they were not allowed to do so.

I got a call from Dr. Omlin.

He convinced me that it was no big deal. I should be able to remove the bandage and clean the wound a couple of times a day.

He was right. I followed his advice and things are going well.

While I was waiting for the results of a biopsy to see if they had removed all cancer, Larry Welch and I walked down the hall and get our booster shot. It was the worst experience of the day and about a week later, my whole body hurt. Anyway, when I got back to the waiting room, Dr. Onlin came out and told me I was clear. They had removed all of the cancer cells.

I’m one happy guy. You would be, too.

My entire experience with Kaiser has been good. They have services that you and I don’t know about.

A friend is taking a very intense online course to help him stop drinking. He has abused alcohol. Looks like he’s going to make it.

I wonder what else they offer . . . .

Murray Bass of Fairfield can be reached at 707-720-5139 or mzb602@gmail.com.

R

ecently I clinical encounter. received my I completed a Covid-19 booster written questionnaire injection, courtesy of related to my vaccine the Veterans Affairs history at a registration clinic at Travis Air desk and then proForce Base. I made an ceeded to a third appointment for interview with a nurse, this encounter. who was given the job Scott Anderson of administerThe intake experiAsk Dr. Scott ence involved ing the shot. answering a series of She went through a question questions upon approaching list, and asked me, “Are you the building, upon registering pregnant or breastfeeding?” and upon getting the injection.

I should have answered Thirty feet from the entrance, negatively, right away. Perhaps I stopped behind a line in the because I had gone through concrete, attesting to a lack of two previous screenings, I was Covid-19 symptoms, positive a little worn down. I asked, testing or contacts.

“How could I be pregnant or Imagine a combination of breastfeeding?” being sworn in at court and The nurse, who seemed encountering the Transportavery earnest, explained that tion Security Administration. I she had to ask me passed, successfully entering that question. the clinic sporting a I did ponder the possibility blue wristband. that I might have been femaleAlthough I understand the to-male transgender, and concept of sequestering people pregnant or breastfeeding, with coughing and overtly carrying a transplanted infectious disease processes, embryo in my seventh decade.

Covid-19 is not like the Ebola Anything is theoretically virus in terms of case possible. The questions asked fatality rates. were not completely ludicrous.

Moreover, I do not really I told the nurse that I was not understand the danger of pregnant or breastfeeding. allowing a person reporting Men can develop breast Covid-19 exposure to enter a enlargement, known as cavernous waiting hall, while gynecomastia. This condition fully masked. is common in adolescent I am similarly perplexed by males, and occurs due to the concept that people with obesity, aging, liver disease illnesses should be excluded and in the setting of chromofrom entering medical clinics. somal disorders such as What are clinics for, if not to Klinefelter’s syndrome. assess people reporting Breast discharge, called exposures to illnesses, or galactorrhea, can be prompted manifesting symptoms? by hormonal effects of pituWhen did we become so itary tumors. Biological men, faint of heart, in the healing however, do not typically professions? Telemedicine, perform breastfeeding. although useful, does not There are devices that equate to a face-to-face simulate breasts, which can be

worn in the manner of a brassiere, allowing males to engage in breastfeeding of sorts. I saw this demonstrated decades ago, as a male medical student nearby commented, “This is where I draw the line!”

Yet times change. Robert DeNiro wore such a device in the comedy “Meet the Fockers.”

After getting the injection, and updating my vaccination card, I waited in a post-vaccination area as an Olympic timing device ticked off precisely 15 minutes, under direct observation of yet another nurse. Feeling fine, I was cleared to leave.

The previous practice of telling patients to wait around for 10 minutes after a flu shot has morphed into a structured event requiring a digital timer and nurse observer. Such protocols, once established, usually live forever, adding to the cost of medicine.

Are we really saving lives here, by guarding actively against allergic vaccine reactions? Will drive-thru flu shot clinics or pharmacy administered shots survive these liability concerns?

Perhaps I am too old fashioned, and therefore failing to appreciate medical progress. Indeed, I respect the Veterans Affairs efforts.

Ronald Reagan observed, however, that “Freedom is the right to question and change the established way of doing things.”

Scott T. Anderson, MD (standerson@ucdavis.edu) is a clinical professor at UC Davis Medical School. This column is informational and does not constitute, medical advice.

B14 Sunday, December 12, 2021 — DAILY REPUBLIC

sUNDAY COMIC S

A6 Sunday, December 12, 2021 — DAILY REPUBLIC

Jelly Belly Christmas brunch Commission takes up Suisun remains a family tradition Susan Hiland

shiland@dailyrepublic.net

FAIRFIELD — Officials at Jelly Belly Candy Company were more than happy to return to the regularly scheduled Christmas traditions this year, including the Jelly Belly Christmas Brunch.

Jeff and Jennifer Brown have been bringing their children to Jelly Belly’s Christmas Brunch for 20 years.

“We have been doing it since the beginning,” Jeff Brown said. “I think it is wonderful family fun and it kind of kicks off our Christmas season.”

Their five children range from 12 to 22 and all of them remember Jelly Belly’s Christmas Brunch with affection.

“We weren’t sure if they would still want to do this at their ages,” Jennifer Brown. “So we asked if they wanted to do it again this year and they all said, ‘Yes!’ ” For son Kyle, who is 22, it is a family tradition that he plans to continue when he has a family.

“Of course we are coming,” he said. “We have done this as long as I can remember.”

Susan Hiland/Daily Republic

The 20th Jelly Belly Christmas Brunch served about 180 people at the company’s factory in Fairfield, Saturday.

Harry Trunsk played the accordion, leading the children through the banquet hall in a musical train.

It doesn’t hurt that his dad has worked for Jelly Belly for 29 years and some of his best memories are from telling friends about the event.

“Basically my dad is Willy Wonka,” Kyle Brown said.

Hank Trunsk, 89, is the musician who plays the accordian at the Jelly Belly Christmas Brunch for the past 20 years, although he was coming out for other events years before that.

Trunsk said he was excited to get the call the night before to ask him to play his accordion and lead the children in the

musical parade.

“You know it has been two years since I picked up the accordion. Because of Covid, I haven’t been out playing it,” Trunsk said. remembers He company officials asking him to walk and play at the same time back in the beginning. His usual accordion is really heavy so he bought a smaller one that is easier to play while leading a group of children.

John Jamison, vice president of Retail Operations at Jelly Belly, couldn’t have been happier to return to a

normal tradition this year, but with a few changes.

“Usually we do a banquet style but instead this year we are doing family style and delivering to the tables,” he said.

“We will see how this goes. It might work out to be the next tradition.”

The company served 180 people in the upstairs banquet hall with ham sandwiches, sausages, eggs, fruit, juices, coffee, cocoa and cupcakes for dessert.

After everyone ate, Santa and Mrs. Claus went table to table along with reindeer, a snowman and of course, Mr. Jelly Belly.

The meal concluded with a group of children grabbing small instruments and playing along with Trunsk while marching around the room.

It brought tears to eyes of Jelly Belly President/CEO Lisa Rowland Brasher as she watched Kelly the Clown laughing with the children once again.

“It’s just so wonderful to do this again,” Brasher said. “It’s great to see everybody again.”

events center Todd R. Hansen

thansen@dailyrepublic.net

FAIRFIELD — The Solano County Planning Commission on Thursday will consider use changes in the ag and highwaycommercial zones and consider a use permit for a proposed barn-style special events center in Suisun Valley.

Construction of the medium-sized, 4,738-square-foot facility would be at 2208 Morrison Lane and would host fewer than 12 events a year. A guest studio and secondary dwelling on the property are part of the proposal. The property is located within the Agriculture-Suisun Valley Zoning District.

The commission meets at 7 p.m. in the Board of Supervisor chamber on the first floor of the government center, 675 Texas St., in Fairfield.

Solano mayors trying to help small businesses Daily Republic Staff

Visit Vacaville sets return of Restaurant Week Daily Republic Staff

drnews@dailyrepublic.net

VACAVILLE — The new year means bringing back some past activities.

Visit Vacaville announced Friday that Restaurant Week will again be celebrated in-person, as well as takeout and delivery, Jan. 21-30.

“Restaurant Week is a major

event for our food businesses as well as for our foodies,” Melyssa Reeves, president and chief executive officer of Visit Vacaville, said in a statement. “Past participating restaurants and chefs have been featured on ‘Good Day Sacramento’ and highlighted by Visit California’s Restaurant Month program.

We are so proud to offer an experience that is notable beyond our

region but that primarily benefits our local residents.”

The event features special discounted menus, many with a cocktail or dessert included at no additional charge, at some of Vacaville’s most well-loved restaurants.

For a full list of participating restaurants, visit www.vacavillerestaurantweek.com.

In an unrelated matter, the zoning administrator at 10 a.m. Thursday will consider approval of a use permit for a small winery and tasting room and what’s described as a mediumsized non-marketing special events facility at 2212 Morrison Lane.

The commission also will conduct a public hearing on proposed zoning ordinance changes, primarily revised definitions and new allowed uses in the agriculture zones.

The Airport Land Use Commission on Thursday determined none of the changes would affect airport operations in the area. Those uses include such things as commercial greenhouses and ag-related robotics.

Restaurants, cafes, bakeries and retail stores are proposed uses for the agritourism areas of the county as well.

drnews@dailyrepublic.net

FAIRFIELD — How mayors can help small businesses recover will be the topics of the Mayors Committee Wednesday.

Sabrina R. Kelley, vice president of External Relations for Community Vision Capital & Consulting, and Tara Gray, director of the state Office of Small Business Advocate, will speak.

The virtual meeting

follows the Selection Committee meeting at 6 p.m.

The mayors will be appointing a representative to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District board and to the Remote Access Network board.

The public may access the meeting at https:// t i ny u rl.c om /ycxdvk zaby. The Meeting ID is 848 4132 1984. The passcode is 313120. Those calling it is 669-900-6833.

A10 Sunday, December 12, 2021 — DAILY REPUBLIC

Paul Farmer . Sports Editor . 427.6926

State champions

Aaron Rosenblatt/Daily Republic photos

Jamai East, center, and the Vanden football team lift the trophy after beating Aquinas in the CIF Division 3-AA State Championship at Vanden High School in Fairfield, Saturday.

Vanden roars back to defeat Aquinas, 14-13 Nick DeCicco

SPECIAL TO THE DAILY REPUBLIC

FAIRFIELD — Valhalla, they are coming.

The Vanden High Vikings drove their ships to new lands Saturday night with a come-frombehind, fourth-quarter rally to win the California Interscholastic Federation Division 3-AA State Championship Game, 14-13, over visiting Aquinas of San Bernardino at George A. Gammon Field.

To fight the visiting Falcons horde, Vanden called on the resilience that has been the wellspring of the Vikings’ success throughout the year for a team inspired to succeed after the deaths of teammate Daniel Hughes and coaches Dan Gardner and Michael Belk Sr. The victory marked

Vanden’s first statewide title since Cal-Hi Sports crowned them Division IV champs in 1995 after going 13-0.

Vanden hadn’t made it past a section semifinal since 1995 before this year.

“Our guys played their hearts out,” said Vanden head coach Sean Murphy after the game. “I’m so proud of them and happy for them, the journey they went on and all the adversity they (faced). They showed a lot of resilience.”

Jamai East helped the Vikings capture their crown, with his hands making crucial catches in the final 75 seconds on both sides of the ball.

On the Falcons’ final play, with 32 seconds to go, East intercepted a Dre Robles pass to give Vanden the chance to kneel and run out the clock. The toss

was Robles’ third interception on the night.

Asked what it felt like to be a state champion, East’s jaw fell open, but for a few moments, no words came out.

“I don’t know,” he said with a grin. “I’m happy.”

East’s title-clinching interception came just two plays after Vanden faced a fateful fourth down.

On a fourth-and-2 from the Aquinas 3-yard line, with 1:13 left in the game, Tre Dimes took the snap, rolled right and found East cutting back across the middle of the end zone.

Dimes fired the ball into East’s hands to tie the game at 13 before kicker Diego Nuñez-Smith sailed the Vikings’ game-winning extra point through the uprights.

See Vanden, Page A11

Vanden’s Jamai East, left, attempts to evade Aquinas’ Cesar Fernandez during the CIF Division 3-AA State Championship at Vanden High School in Fairfield, Saturday.

Young won Heisman in Alabama but his football roots are at Cathedral, Mater Dei Tribune Content Agency Bryce Young, who grew up in Pasadena, was tutored by his father Craig and played football at Santa Ana Mater Dei and Los Angeles Cathedral, won the Heisman Trophy on Saturday after performing at the highest level as a quarterback for Alabama.

He becomes the third Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from Mater Dei, joining John Huarte in 1961 and Matt Leinart in 2001. The school has a Heisman Lane, so the sign will have to be updated.

Young, a sophomore, passed for 4,322 yards and 43 touchdowns this season, leading the top-ranked Crimson Tide to the Southeastern Conference championship and the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. The Tide will face No. 4 Cincinnati on Dec. 31 at the Cotton Bowl.

Young was not the only Southland native as a Heisman candidate. Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud starred at Rancho Cucamonga High. The

Nathan Baird/Tribune Content Agency

The 2021 Heisman trophy finalists pose with the trophy at the Marriott Marquis in New York, Saturday. Pictured are Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, from left, Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett, Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud and Alabama quarterback Bryce Young. other nominees were Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett.

During his freshman and sophomore seasons, before he transferred to Mater Dei, the signs of Young’s unique qualities as an athlete and a person could be seen at Cathedral by coach Kevin Pearson and Brother John Montgomery, the principal.

Pearson, now the coach at Downey Warren, was in New York on Saturday for the announcement. He’s that close to the family.

“I’m so happy for him and his family,” Pearson said. “I told you as an eighth grader he was a special kid and different from everyone else.”

When Young arrived as a freshman at Cathedral, he had to share playing

time with a senior quarterback who was a four-year starter. That he and his family had no objections showed Young’s humility and willingness to be a team player. Those early games also showed how strong an arm he had and, despite being 5 feet 11, he would master his position.

“He’s had to overcome his size,” Pearson said. “I had so many coaches tell me, ‘We’re going to wait to see how he grows.’ He had a lot of good early offers. They didn’t care.

Others are kicking themselves. Bryce has changed the perception how you look at size. Kyler Murray and Baker Mayfield are smaller guys and were breaking that mold. Bryce is going to cement that.”

Cathedral’s principal recalled a story about Young’s off-thefield character.

“While his classmates departed for Catalina Island Friday morning for a weekend freshman honors biology field trip, Bryce stayed behind to See Young, Page A14

Navy beats Army, 17-13, finishing down year with win that matters most The Washington Post EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Tai Lavatai took a final snap in front of the largest crowd to watch a college-football game at MetLife Stadium and dropped to a knee. He then exploded to his feet, turned and waved goodbye to the 82,282 fans in the stands.

A sea of blue jerseys engulfed the Navy quarterback as the emotions of a tumultuous season were released in a 17-13 victory over rival Army.

The Midshipmen sprinted to the outskirts of the field and jumped into the crowd to celebrate with their classmates, who sung “Let’s go to the bus!” in unison.

Senior Michael Salisbury tackled a teammate before the pair wrestled on the ground in glee.

“It’s everything that we worked for throughout the whole season,”

Lavatai said. “The motto of the whole year is beat them. I think just all the emotions of all the work we put in together, all the blood, sweat and tears we put in just came out at the last snap. So it was a great moment.”

The game essentially came down to a handful of plays that Navy (4-8) made to save the day.

Trailing 7-0 in the first quarter, Lavatai bullied his way to an eight-yard touchdown on a draw on which he was hit by two players at the three-yard line and continued to push – and get pulled by fullback James Harris – across the goal line.

Chance Warren took a reverse 26 yards on fourth and four to set up Lavatai’s second touchdown of the day to give the Mids a 14-13 lead.

The most pivotal moment came early in the fourth quarter See Navy, Page A13

Sports

Scoreboard BASKETBALL

CALENDAR Sunday’s TV sports Baseball Puerto Rican League •All-Star Game, FS2, 1 p.m.

NBA

Basketball College men •Merrimack at Indiana, BIG TEN, 9 a.m.

•Florida State at South Carolina, ESPN2, 9 a.m.

•Colgate at St. John’s, FS1, 9 a.m.

•Virginia Tech at Dayton, ESPN2, 11 a.m.

•North Carolina State at Purdue, BIG TEN, 11 a.m.

•Villanova at Baylor, Chs. 7, 10 noon •Kent State at West Virginia, ESPN2, 1 p.m.

•NJIT at Northwestern, ESPNU, 1 p.m.

•Florida at Maryland, BIG TEN, 1:30 p.m.

•Long Beach State at USC, PAC12, 2 p.m.

•Oregon at Stanford, PAC12, P12BA, 4 p.m.

•Monmouth at Pittsburgh, ACC, 4 p.m.

•Rutgers at Seton Hall, FS1, 4:30 p.m.

College women •Florida State at Florida, SEC, 10 a.m.

•Kentucky at Louisville, ESPN, 10 a.m.

•Clemson at Syracuse, ACC, 11 a.m.

•Maryland at South Carolina, ESPN, noon •New Orleans at Auburn, SEC, noon •Boise State at Washington State, PAC12, noon •Little Rock at Arkansas, SEC, 2 p.m.

•Indiana at Ohio State, BIG TEN, 4 p.m.

Brooklyn Philadelphia Boston Toronto New York

Football CFL •108th Grey Cup, Winnipeg at Hamilton, ESPN2, 3 p.m.

NFL •Las Vegas at Kansas City, Chs. 5, 13, 10 a.m.

•Dallas at Washington, Chs. 2, 40 (KTXL), 10 a.m.

•San Francisco at Cincinnati, Chs. 5, 13, 1:25 p.m.

•Chicago at Green Bay, Ch. 3, 5:20 p.m.

Golf •PGA Tour, QBE Shootout, final round, GOLF, 9 a.m.

•PGA Tour, QBE Shootout, final round, Ch. 3, 11 a.m.

EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division W L Pct GB 18 8 .692 — 15 12 .556 3½ 13 14 .481 5½ 12 14 .462 6 12 14 .462 6 Central Division

W L Pct GB Milwaukee 17 10 .630 — Chicago 17 10 .630 — Cleveland 16 12 .571 1½ Indiana 12 16 .429 5½ Detroit 4 21 .160 12 Southeast Division

W L Pct GB Miami 16 11 .593 — Washington 15 12 .556 1 Charlotte 15 13 .536 1½ Atlanta 13 13 .500 2½ Orlando 5 22 .185 11 WESTERN CONFERENCE Northwest Division

W L Pct GB Utah 19 7 .731 — Denver 13 13 .500 6 Portland 11 15 .423 8 Minnesota 11 15 .423 8 Oklahoma City 8 17 .320 10½ Pacific Division

W L Pct GB Phoenix 21 4 .840 — GOLDEN STATE 21 5 .808 ½ L.A. Clippers 15 12 .556 7 L.A. Lakers 14 13 .519 8 SACRAMENTO 11 16 .407 11 Southwest Division

W L Pct GB Memphis 16 11 .593 — Dallas 12 13 .480 3 San Antonio 9 16 .360 6 Houston 8 18 .308 7½ New Orleans 8 20 .286 8½ Friday’s Games Charlotte 124, SACRAMENTO 123 Indiana 106, Dallas 93 Brooklyn 113, Atlanta 105 Toronto 90, New York 87 Milwaukee 123, Houston 114 Cleveland 123, Minnesota 106 New Orleans 109, Detroit 93 L.A. Lakers 116, Oklahoma City 95 Phoenix 111, Boston 90 Saturday’s Games Philadelphia 102, GOLDEN STATE 93 Cleveland 117, SACRAMENTO 103 L.A. Clippers 106, Orlando 104 Utah 123, Washington 98 Miami 118, Chicago 92 Memphis 113, Houston 106 Denver 127, San Antonio 112 Sunday’s Games Milwaukee at New York, 9 a.m.

Brooklyn at Detroit, 3 p.m.

Dallas at Oklahoma City, 4 p.m.

New Orleans at San Antonio, 4 p.m.

Minnesota at Portland, 6 p.m.

Orlando at L.A. Lakers, 6:30 p.m.

Monday’s Games GOLDEN STATE at Indiana, 4 p.m.

SACRAMENTO at Toronto, 4 p.m.

Miami at Cleveland, 4 p.m.

Houston at Atlanta, 4:30 p.m.

Milwaukee at Boston, 4:30 p.m.

Philadelphia at Memphis, 5 p.m.

Charlotte at Dallas, 5:30 p.m.

Washington at Denver, 6 p.m.

Phoenix at L.A. Clippers, 7:30 p.m.

HOCKEY NHL EASTERN CONFERENCE Metropolitan Division

GP W L OT Pts GF GA Washington 27 17 5 6 40 97 71 N.Y. Rangers 26 18 5 3 39 79 67 Carolina 25 18 6 1 37 81 55 Pittsburgh 27 14 8 5 33 80 70 Columbus 25 13 11 1 27 81 82 New Jersey 26 10 11 5 25 74 86 Philadelphia 26 10 12 4 24 65 88 N.Y. Islanders 23 7 11 5 19 50 70 Atlantic Division

GP W L OT Pts GF GA Florida 26 18 4 4 40 99 72 Toronto 29 19 8 2 40 93 75 Tampa Bay 27 17 6 4 38 89 74 Detroit 28 13 12 3 29 78 96 Boston 23 13 8 2 28 65 60 Buffalo 27 8 15 4 20 73 97 Ottawa 25 8 16 1 17 67 93 Montreal 29 6 20 3 15 62 102 Western Conference Central Division

GP W L OT Pts GF GA Minnesota 26 19 6 1 39 101 74 St. Louis 27 15 8 4 34 94 76 Nashville 27 16 10 1 33 80 75 Colorado 24 15 7 2 32 106 82 Winnipeg 27 13 9 5 31 82 76 Dallas 24 13 9 2 28 68 68 Chicago 27 10 15 2 22 62 86 Arizona 27 5 20 2 12 48 101 Pacific Division

GP W L OT Pts GF GA Calgary 27 15 6 6 36 85 58 Anaheim 29 15 9 5 35 91 80 Edmonton 25 16 7 0 32 89 77 Vegas 26 15 11 0 30 89 81 SAN JOSE 27 14 12 1 29 73 76 Los Angeles 25 11 10 4 26 68 67 Vancouver 28 11 15 2 24 70 84 Seattle 26 9 15 2 20 73 93 NOTE: Two points for a win, one point for overtime loss. Top three teams in each division and two wild cards per conference advance to playoffs.

Friday’s Games N.Y. Rangers 2, Buffalo 1 Pittsburgh 4, Washington 2 Nashville 3, New Jersey 2 Colorado 7, Detroit 3

DAILY REPUBLIC — Sunday, December 12, 2021 A11

Florida 3, Arizona 1 Vancouver 4, Winnipeg 3, SO Philadelphia 4, Vegas 3 Saturday’s Games SAN JOSE 2, Dallas 1 Ottawa 4, Tampa Bay 0 St. Louis 4, Montreal 1 Washington 3, Buffalo 2, SO Toronto 5, Chicago 4 Pittsburgh 1, Anaheim 0 N.Y. Islanders 4, New Jersey 2 Philadelphia 5, Arizona 3 Los Angeles 2, Minnesota 1 Carolina 3, Edmonton 1 Boston 4, Calgary 2 Sunday’s Games Anaheim at St. Louis, 4 p.m.

Nashville at N.Y. Rangers, 4 p.m.

Florida at Colorado, 5 p.m.

Minnesota at Vegas, 6 p.m.

Carolina at Vancouver, 7 p.m.

Monday’s Game Calgary at Chicago, 4:30 p.m.

FOOTBALL NFL American Conference East

W L T Pct. PF PA New England 9 4 0 .692 350 200 Buffalo 7 5 0 .583 336 196 Miami 6 7 0 .462 254 288 N.Y. Jets 3 9 0 .250 217 367 North

W L T Pct. PF PA Baltimore 8 4 0 .667 282 260 Cincinnati 7 5 0 .583 331 267 Pittsburgh 6 6 1 .500 272 322 Cleveland 6 6 0 .500 254 267 South

W L T Pct. PF PA Tennessee 8 4 0 .667 304 290 Indianapolis 7 6 0 .538 371 283 Houston 2 10 0 .167 164 323 Jacksonville 2 10 0 .167 180 320 West

W L T Pct. PF PA Kansas City 8 4 0 .667 303 259 L.A. Chargers 7 5 0 .583 314 315 Las Vegas 6 6 0 .500 274 312 Denver 6 6 0 .500 237 218 National Conference East

W L T Pct. PF PA Dallas 8 4 0 .667 353 267 Washington 6 6 0 .500 246 297 Philadelphia 6 7 0 .462 337 291 N.Y. Giants 4 8 0 .333 211 273 North

W L T Pct. PF PA Green Bay 9 3 0 .750 283 242 Minnesota 6 7 0 .462 344 331 Chicago 4 8 0 .333 201 287 Detroit 1 10 1 .125 203 316 South

W L T Pct. PF PA Tampa Bay 9 3 0 .750 377 270 Carolina 5 7 0 .417 236 253 Atlanta 5 7 0 .417 216 332 New Orleans 5 7 0 .417 274 276

West W L T Pct. PF PA 10 2 0 .833 343 224 8 4 0 .667 336 270 6 6 0 .500 303 278 4 8 0 .333 239 249 Week 13 Results Seattle 30, SAN FRANCISCO 23 Dallas 27, New Orleans 17 Miami 20, N.Y. Giants 9 Indianapolis 31, Houston 0 Detroit 29, Minnesota 27 Philadelphia 33, N.Y. Jets 18 Arizona 33, Chicago 22 L.A. Chargers 41, Cincinnati 22 Tampa Bay 30, Atlanta 17 L.A. Rams 37, Jacksonville 7 Washington 17, Las Vegas 15 Pittsburgh 20, Baltimore 19 Kansas City 22, Denver 9 New England 14, Buffalo 10 Byes — Carolina, Cleveland, Green Bay, Tenn.

Week 14 Thursday’s Game Minnesota 36, Pittsburgh 28 Sunday’s Games SAN FRANCISCO at Cincinnati, 10 a.m.

New Orleans at N.Y. Jets, 10 a.m.

Atlanta at Carolina, 10 a.m.

Seattle at Houston, 10 a.m.

Las Vegas at Kansas City, 10 a.m.

Baltimore at Cleveland, 10 a.m.

Dallas at Washington, 10 a.m.

Jacksonville at Tennessee, 10 a.m.

N.Y. Giants at L.A. Chargers, 1:05 p.m.

Detroit at Denver, 1:05 p.m.

Buffalo at Tampa Bay, 1:25 p.m.

Chicago at Green Bay, 5:20 p.m.

Monday’s Game L.A. Rams at Arizona, 5:15 p.m.

Byes — Indianapolis, Miami, New England, Philadelphia Week 15 Thursday, Dec. 16 Kansas City at L.A. Chargers, 5:20 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 18 Las Vegas at Cleveland, 1:30 p.m.

New England at Indianapolis, 5:20 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 19 Atlanta at SAN FRANCISCO, 1:05 p.m.

Tennessee at Pittsburgh, 10 a.m.

Carolina at Buffalo, 10 a.m.

Washington at Philadelphia, 10 a.m.

Houston at Jacksonville, 10 a.m.

Dallas at N.Y. Giants, 10 a.m.

Arizona at Detroit, 10 a.m.

N.Y. Jets at Miami, 10 a.m.

Cincinnati at Denver, 1:05 p.m.

Seattle at L.A. Rams, 1:25 p.m.

Green Bay at Baltimore, 1:25 p.m.

New Orleans at Tampa Bay, 5:20 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 20 Minnesota at Chicago, 5:15 p.m.

Arizona L.A. Rams SAN FRAN Seattle

Prep CIF Playoffs NorCal Division 3-AA Championship Friday, Dec. 3 Vanden 56, Windsor 28 State Division 3-AA Championship Saturday’s Game Vanden 14, Aquinas 13

Horse racing •America’s Day at the Races, FS1, 11 a.m.

Motorsports •Formula 1, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, ESPN2, 4:55 a.m.

Soccer Ligue 1 •Lille vs. Olympique Lyonnais, BEIN, 3:50 a.m.

•Rennes vs. OGC Nice, BEIN, 5:55 a.m.

•Strasbourg vs. Marseille, BEIN, 7:55 a.m.

•Paris Saint-Germain vs. AS Monaco, BEIN, 11:35 a.m.

•Troyes AC vs. Bordeaux, BEIN, 4:30 p.m. (taped) Premier League •Burnley vs. West Ham, NBCSN, 6 a.m.

•Crystal Palace vs. Everton, NBCSN, 8 a.m.

Serie A •Sassuolo vs. Lazio, CBSSN, 9 a.m.

•Inter Milan vs. Caglieri, CBSSN, 11:45 a.m.

College men •NCAA Tournament, final, ESPNU, 11 a.m.

Super Lig •Besiktas vs. Kayerispor, BEIN, 2:30 p.m. (taped) •Sivasspor vs. Galatasaray, BEIN, 6:55 a.m. (Monday) Swimming •Toyota U.S. Open, Ch. 3, 9 a.m.

Tennis •ATP Florianopolis Challenger, Maia Challenger, WTA 125 Angers, singles and doubles finals, TENNIS, 6 a.m.

•ATP Rio de Janeiro Challenger, ATP Maia 2, early rounds, 8 a.m. (Monday) Winter sports Snowboarding •World Cup, halfpipe, Ch. 3, 10 a.m.

Wrestling •Oklahoma State at Oklahoma, ESPNU, 3 p.m.

Vanden: Trailed 13-0 before rallying

LOCAL REPORT

Armijo boys soccer can’t find enough answers in loss to Lodi Daily Republic staff

SPORTS@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET

FAIRFIELD — The Armijo High boys soccer team gave up three “quick” goals and didn’t have enough answers in dropping a 3-2 decision to Lodi at Brownlee Field, Friday.

The Flames scored in the first two minutes and countered a goal by the Royals’ Esteban Carcamo a minute later to take a 2-1 lead into halftime.

The troubles continued in the second half as a mistake on defense allowed the visitors to score five minutes in. Carcamo scored his second goal of the match eight minutes later, but couldn’t draw even.

“We continued to push and play a better game for the rest of the half but couldn’t get that shot we needed in goal,” Armijo coach Megan Flores said.

The coach praised the defense of Gio Zarate and Jorge Rodriguez, and

Aaron Rosenblatt/Daily Republic

Vanden’s Diego Nunez-Smith celebrates after kicking the game-winning extra point during the CIF Division 3-AA State Championship against Aquinas at Vanden High School in Fairfield, Saturday.

the ball movement by Carcamo, Diego Torres and Abraham Perez.

“The talent and ability is there,” Flores said. “They just need to show up at the start and realize their potential themselves.”

The undermanned Armijo junior varsity team fell 2-0, giving up a goal in each half.

JC men’s basketball

Ebert, Cobbs combine for 51, but SCC falls to Sac City ROCKVILLE — Jacob Ebert poured in 27 points and Jonathon Cobbs added 24, but it wasn’t enough to keep the Solano Community College men’s basketball team from falling 90-87 to Sacramento City, Thursday.

The Falcons (2-8) also got 17 points, 11 rebounds and three See Local, Page A13

From Page A10 “When I saw him open, I said, ‘Please don’t miss’ to myself,” Dimes said.

“We called some slant routes and I saw them one-on-one with Jamai.

I don’t think there’s too many that can guard Jamai one on one. The O-line gave me time, I rolled out a little bit. We practice scramble drills so much and he broke them off and I just gave him a nice one.”

East described making the game-winning catch as “a rush of blood.”

Murphy said he thought East was well covered on the game-winning touchdown pass.

“He’s been a playmaker for the whole playoffs,” said Sean Murphy, Vanden’s head coach. “He’s one of the guys just making huge plays at big times. He’s a tremendous athlete. He’s been a leader. One of the things that he did, after Danny Hughes passed away, he really dedicated himself to being a team leader and he’s become that and then he fulfilled it on the field. It’s great to see.”

Earlier on the gamewinning drive, the Vikings faced another crucial fourth down. On

fourth-and-10 at midfield with 3:25 to go, Amarion York caught a Dimes pass and held off Falcons defenders to secure the first down and keep the Vikings’ drive alive.

A blocked punt sparked the previous drive, setting up Vanden at the Aquinas 44. Trailing 13-0 with just under seven minutes to go in the fourth, the outlook was bleak. Vanden’s offense had not even made it to the red zone.

“As coaches, we were telling our guys, ‘Just stick with it,’” Murphy said.

The Vikings offense that had seemed to score at will throughout the postseason kicked into gear. In three plays and 23 seconds, Dimes completed a pair of passes to Brayden Chavez and one more to East. East leaped for the catch, coming down in the end zone to get Vanden on the board 13-7.

Aquinas relied heavily on JoJo Solis whose 28 carries amassed a game-high 129 yards, including a 1-yard tote through the right side of the line to put his team up 13-0 on its first drive of the second half. Vanden’s defenders blocked the extra point.

The Vikings trailed

7-0 at the half. With 2:08 to go in the second quarter, Dimes fired a pass intercepted by the Falcons’ Marco Perez, who returned the catch 21 yards to score the first touchdown of the night. It was the first time Vanden had trailed since it’s loss to Vacaville on Oct. 15.

Murphy said he encouraged his players to stick to their game plan.

“We thought we weren’t executing,” he said he told his players at halftime.

Yellow flags were frequent throughout the title game, with the two squads combining for 28 penalties on the night.

Murphy said winning the title was “indescribable.” Dimes echoed those sentiments.

“I don’t think it’s really soaked in yet, but it really does feel great,” he said.

“Aquinas is a great team.

They played great. They played hard. I’m sore as hell right now. I’m going to be sore tomorrow because we don’t got no recovery tomorrow, but it was a great game.”

Vanden (13-2) finished the regular season 8-2 before topping, in succession, Dixon, Folsom’s Vista del Lago, Merced and Windsor before

beating Aquinas.

Murphy was a player on the Vanden’s Division IV championship team in 1995 that won a section title, but didn’t have a chance to play for a state crown. State playoffs didn’t start until 2006.

“The ’95 season, as players, we were really sad it was over because we only got 13 games,” Murphy said. “There was no state. We weren’t ready for the journey to be over.”

Aquinas (11-6) was awarded the Cal-Hi Sports State Division V championship after going 13-1 in 2005 and last played in a state title game in 2019, losing to Clayton Valley Charter in Division 2-AA, 10-7.

Championship sum Vanden 14, Aquinas 13 Aquinas Vanden

0 7 6 0 — 13 0 0 0 14 — 14 Second Quarter Aqu — Perez 21 interception return (Martinez kick) Third Quarter Aqu — Solis 1 run (Kick blocked) Fourth Quarter Van — East 13 pass from Dimes (Nuñez-Smith kick) Van — East 3 pass from Dimes (Nuñez-Smith kick) INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Rushing — Aquinas, Solis 28-129, Perez 5-39, Robles 5-17. Vanden, Davis 8-49, Fisherman 7-22, Belk 1-(-2), McLeod 3-(-3), Chavez 1-(-7), Dimes 9-(-42).

Passing — Aquinas, Robles 2-9-3-29. Vanden, Dimes 13-28-2-189.

Receiving — Aquinas, Mendieta 1-25, Vander 1-4. Vanden, Belk 3-78, York 4-39, Chavez 3-38, East 3-34.

A12 Sunday, December 12, 2021 — DAILY REPUBLIC

Sports

College football coaching grades: Which school aced the hiring spree?

J. Brady McCollough LOS ANGELES TIMES

M

aybe the early signing period, which starts Dec. 15, was partly to blame. Maybe it was athletic directors and university presidents who were eager to chart new courses after having to hold firm after the 2020 season because of the pandemic. Maybe it was general unrest created because of the conference realignment spurred by Texas and Oklahoma moving to the Southeastern Conference.

Or maybe it was just a beautiful confluence of events across a sport where increasingly it feels as if there are no rules, written or unwritten.

The result of it all will be the most intriguing college football regular season possibly ever in 2022, with the whole country following each week to see who’s a stud or a dud in their new posts.

Here’s my first attempt at grading the 11 hires made so far by Power Five schools:

A GRADE HIRE Lincoln Riley, USC: At the start of the weekend after Thanksgiving, the USC fan base was clinging to the hope that USC athletic director Mike Bohn could complete a deal for Iowa State coach Matt Campbell. Cincinnati’s Luke Fickell appeared to be staying put, rumors were circulating Baylor and Dave Aranda were working on an extension and, as the days went on without USC announcing Campbell, true trepidation was setting in among the faithful. Then came Sunday afternoon.

The Trojans shook the college football universe by announcing they had hired Lincoln Riley from Oklahoma, where he had led the Sooners to three College Football Playoff semifinal appearances and tutored two Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks. Given the misery of USC fans the past three years of the Helton era, Bohn could not have made a more thrilling statement that things were about to change for the better – and quickly.

Riley is a dogged recruiter known for closing commitments on both sides of the ball, and he is right to believe he can build the country’s most talented roster from right here in Southern California. Now the hard work begins, but there’s a strong sense Riley could make it look easy.

The only reason this grade isn’t an A+ is that L.A. is a town that pays attention only to championships, and Riley has yet to climb that mountain. The great news? He gets to keep trying to do it right here.

A- GRADE HIRE Mario Cristobal, Miami: Welp, this is what Oregon gets for hiring a coach whose love for his mother, his hometown and his alma mater knows no bounds. That said, the Ducks were put in a tough situation after Willie Taggart left for Florida State after one season, and Cristobal put in legitimate work

Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times/TNS

In this file photo, Lincoln Riley is announced as the new head football coach at USC during a press conference at the Coliseum, Nov. 29, in Los Angeles. building the program’s foundation back, brick by brick, while winning 35 games and one legitimate Pac-12 championship in four seasons.

But Eugene never seemed like the long-term play for Cristobal.

The pull of Miami was always going to be there for him, and the timing was finally right for both sides with the Hurricanes floundering under Manny Diaz and Utah reminding Cristobal twice in three weeks just how far the Ducks still have to go before they can truly compete for a national championship.

This grade could be an A because of the perfect cultural fit and Cristobal’s proven ability to develop a physical backbone within a Power Five program and to recruit the best athletes in the country to play within that philosophy. While he had to raid Southern California to bring in top talent at Oregon, he won’t have to leave a 60-mile radius to do so in South Florida.

Cristobal registers as an A-minus because he has routinely struggled with game management to the Ducks’ detriment, something he will have to improve to get Miami back to where it feels it belongs.

B+ GRADE HIRES Billy Napier, Florida: A year after competing for a spot in the playoff, Florida’s erosion under Dan Mullen became so glaring that athletic director Scott Stricklin had to make a move on Mullen, whom he also worked with at Mississippi State. The main issue seemed to be his recruiting; while the Gators had classes in the top 10 nationally, they did not have one class under Mullen that finished in the top three in the SEC. If you don’t recruit successfully in that conference, you eventually fall behind.

Stricklin immediately focused on Louisiana’s Billy Napier, who led the Cajuns to back-to-back Sun Belt championships and was a hot name the last few coaching carousels who elected to stay put and wait for the right job. Napier’s patience paid off with the keys to a program that can win national championships when it has the right coach in place but shockingly struggles when it doesn’t.

While LSU was reportedly swinging for the fences for a big name, Florida dropped its pin on Napier, who has been right under

the Tigers’ nose for four seasons, and got its guy. This grade honors the efficiency and clean execution in securing an enticing coach who appears ready for the big time.

Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame: When Brian Kelly bolted for LSU, Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick did not need to hit the panic button. Sure, Kelly had just passed Knute Rockne on the school’s all-time wins list and had brought the program stability it hadn’t seen since Lou Holtz paced the sidelines. And his exit came as a major shock, particularly as the Irish needed only a few upsets on championship Saturday to make their third CFP semifinal appearance in four seasons.

But Kelly’s sudden exit could have been catastrophic if Swarbrick had conducted a national search, dragging out toward early signing day, and ended up with the wrong guy (and, let’s be honest, so many have been wrong in South Bend until Kelly). Kelly figured something out about navigating this incomparable challenge, and the hope is that much of that knowledge was passed to Freeman, Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator, in the last year.

The 35-year-old Freeman has been a big part of Notre Dame’s recruiting renaissance, and naming him as Kelly’s successor should keep the Irish’s 2022 class, ranked No. 6 in the 247Sports.com composite rankings, largely intact.

If Notre Dame is going to take the next step and win a playoff game, it can’t afford to start over in recruiting.

Of course, Freeman is a risk because he has never been a head coach. But if it becomes clear early he is in over his head, Swarbrick could then conduct that national search with proper preparation to get it right. Notre Dame does not have to make the same mistake that USC did with Helton, handcuffing itself to an overmatched interim-turned-permanent head coach for a damaging length of time.

And maybe Freeman will be an instant star. He does not have to rebuild, and, did you happen to see the reaction of Notre Dame players when they heard he was taking over? The excitement for the future in South Bend was palpable.

B GRADE HIRES Brian Kelly, LSU: I know, giving

Notre Dame’s hiring of Freeman a better grade than LSU’s hiring of Kelly might seem absurd. I’m not saying that Freeman is a better coach than Kelly. I’m saying that, when taking into account the fit between coach and program and the coach’s chances to meet said program’s expectations, Freeman was a slightly better hire for the Fighting Irish at this moment in time than Kelly was for the Tigers.

From the second LSU let Ed Orgeron go, the buzz was that athletic director Scott Woodward, a Baton Rouge native, was going to reel in a big fish. Woodward brought Jimbo Fisher to Texas A&M by offering him financial stability beyond his wildest dreams, and, originally, the thinking was that he would just re-up with Fisher to bring him to LSU. That didn’t happen, and so then the buzz switched to Riley. When Riley chose to join USC, Woodward moved fast to convince Kelly that he had reached his ceiling at Notre Dame, that he owed himself one final shot in his 60s to reign over the sport.

Tigers fans should be happy about Kelly. He’s a proven winner, having compiled great success at Grand Valley State, Central Michigan, Cincinnati and then Notre Dame. But for some reason this move feels tinged with desperation from both sides; perhaps it’s because the stakes are so high at a place where national champion coaches are discarded like cheap Mardi Gras beads the morning after Fat Tuesday.

Kelly, born and raised in the Boston area, is the opposite of a cultural fit for Louisiana’s state capital. The uneasiness of the pairing was bare for the world to see last week when Kelly debuted his attempt at a Southern accent while giving a speech at an LSU men’s basketball game. Very quickly, the marriage between Kelly and LSU had become a joke, but, given Kelly’s coaching acumen, it is likely the Tigers will be taken seriously on the field soon enough under his leadership.

Kalen DeBoer, Washington: The Jimmy Lake era in Seattle was plagued by offensive ineptitude so pronounced it couldn’t save Lake’s predictably sound defense. Enter DeBoer, the Fresno State coach who steered one of the country’s most delectable offenses this season in leading the Bulldogs to a

9-3 record, which included a thrilling win over UCLA at the Rose Bowl.

DeBoer was attractive to Washington because he should be able to fix the Huskies’ offense – especially if he has the same kind of effect on highly-touted freshman quarterback Sam Huard as he did on former Washington transfer Jake Haener at Fresno State. It was baffling this season watching Lake stick with Dylan Morris for so long while Huard kept waiting for his chance to show what he can do.

DeBoer went 67-3 as the head coach of his alma mater, Sioux Falls (S.D.) of the NAIA, from 2005 to 2009. He led the program to three NAIA championships and has steadily risen up the profession since then. The Huskies are the most recent Pac-12 program to make the playoff, but in their current shape, any big swings were likely to be misses. There’s good reason to believe DeBoer has the chops, and he gets to enjoy the added jolt of Cristobal leaving Oregon.

B- GRADE HIRE Brent Venables, Oklahoma: After processing the shock of losing Riley to USC, Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione and Bob Stoops, while serving as the interim head coach, decided to keep it in the Sooners family with a nod to Stoops’ early glory days in Norman when Venables was his defensive coordinator. The decision was well-received at OU, particularly among former players who saw the program going soft under Riley’s leadership and desired a return to tough-minded defense as the team’s hallmark as it prepares for the upcoming move to the SEC. There is no debating Venables’ ability to coach defense after his decade at Clemson, helping Dabo Swinney and the Tigers to two national championships. Even this season as the Tigers went 9-3, Venables’ unit was as menacing as ever. Venables has spent his career watching legendary head coaches do their thing – Bill Snyder at Kansas State (as a player and assistant), Stoops and Swinney.

Now it’s his turn to implement what he has learned, and it’s a logical assumption to make that he’s ready.

But something about this hire isn’t moving the needle. Maybe it’s the question of why it has taken this long for Venables to become a head coach after being a known commodity as a coordinator. Was he uninterested in running his own program until an amazing opportunity like this one came available, or were other schools put off by something and unable to take the plunge?

Venables will have to nail his offensive coordinator hire, and he very well might have done so with Mississippi offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, an Oklahoma graduate.

But even with Lebby there is a big question: How much credit should he get for Ole Miss’ offensive performance when Lane Kiffin is his boss?

C+ GRADE HIRE Sonny Dykes, Texas Christian: After three straight seasons winning less than seven games, TCU finally said goodbye to Gary Patterson, who took the program from the Western Athletic Conference to Conference USA to the Mountain West to the Big 12 over two decades at the helm.

The Horned Frogs had unquestionably become stale, particularly on

offense, and they didn’t have to look too far for help on that side of that ball with Dykes working his magic on Southern Methodist, TCU’s longtime rival across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

Dykes, a former California head coach, worked under “Air Raid” creators Hal Mumme and Mike Leach as a young assistant.

At Cal, Dykes mentored Jared Goff into the No. 1 overall pick but had only one winning season before being removed. He did an admirable job getting SMU to three straight bowl games, but it’s hard to see incredible upside for him at TCU given his track record.

C GRADE HIRES Joey McGuire, Texas Tech: The Red Raiders were 5-3 in Matt Wells’ third season when they fired him, so they must have really been pining for a fresh start. They moved quickly to pluck McGuire from Baylor, where he had been a part of successful seasons under Matt Rhule and now Dave Aranda.

But McGuire’s biggest draw for Texas Tech was the connectivity of his story as a former high school football coach at Cedar Hill outside of Dallas, where he won three state championships before Rhule brought him to Waco. The Red Raiders just didn’t seem like themselves under Wells, and it will be McGuire’s job to get their guns up in the newly-renovated Big 12.

Jake Dickert, Washington State: Dickert stepped into a very tense situation this season as the Cougars’ interim head coach after the school fired Nick Rolovich because of his refusal to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

Dickert, the defensive coordinator, had never been a head coach, so the idea he was being thrown into the fire was an understatement.

He went 3-2 and kept the Cougars in the Pac-12 North chase until the final weekend, when Washington State romped past Washington in the Apple Cup. It made sense for athletic director Pat Chun to give Dickert the permanent gig since the team displayed an upward trajectory during a period when the Cougars easily could have crumbled. But there is so little evidence to go on with Dickert, and, over time, Washington State fans could be wondering why Chun did not take a longer look at Mountain West success stories such as Nevada’s Jay Norvell, who ended up moving within his own league to Colorado State, or San Jose State’s Brent Brennan.

C- GRADE HIRE Brent Pry, Virginia Tech: In six seasons under Justin Fuente, the Hokies didn’t exactly disappear from national relevance – they were ranked in the top 25 at some point each season – but they failed to assert themselves in a weak Atlantic Coast Conference Coastal division and were no threat to Clemson’s dominance.

Virginia Tech should have bigger goals, which it reflected by firing Fuente but not with the hiring of Pry, the defensive coordinator at Penn State who has never been a head coach.

From the time the divisions were drawn up in the ACC, it was expected that Miami and Virginia Tech would compete most years for the Coastal. Neither has followed through on that prediction, and now each will break in a new leader. Pry will have his work cut out for him against Cristobal and the recruiting machine he is sure to install at Miami.

Key to 49ers-Bengals matchup: Can Cincinnati contain Bosa?

Eric Branch

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

F

irst, the Bengals need to locate Nick Bosa.

Next, they need to stop the Pro Bowl pass rusher.

If they can accomplish those two tasks? They will likely earn the chance to proceed to Step 3: attack the 49ers’ mix of aging and inexperienced cornerbacks.

The 49ers on Sunday will visit the Bengals, who feature a potent offense teeming with skill-position talent that’s had massive issues protecting its centerpiece: quarterback Joe Burrow, last year’s No. 1 pick, has taken the second-most sacks (36) among NFL QBs, pressure that partly explains his league-high 14 interceptions.

Bosa, the 49ers’ lone consistent passer harasser in 2021, has the best chance

ANALYSIS to thwart Burrow’s ability to locate the NFL’s only wide receiver threesome, each with 50-plus catches this season: Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd.

If Burrow gets time to throw? Yikes. The 49ers placed starting cornerback Emmanuel Moseley (ankle) on injured reserve Saturday, and his expected replacement, Dontae Johnson, 30, won’t play because of a personal matter. With Johnson unavailable, the 49ers will start one of two rookies, Deommodore Lenoir or Ambry Thomas.

Lenoir, fifth-round pick, was benched after he struggled when he replaced Moseley in last week’s loss at Seattle.

Thomas, a third-round pick, has allowed six

completion in 20 defensive snaps this season.

The 49ers’ other starter will be Josh Norman, 33, who ranks second among NFL cornerbacks in penalties (nine) and has allowed a 101.1 passer rating when targeted.

“You’re always concerned for any cornerbacks going against those real good skill players and quarterback like that, but it happens,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said. “We played Arizona earlier this year, they had two (cornerbacks) go out (and) they had to play two practicesquad guys . . . But they weren’t affected at all because the other nine (players) did their job real well. You’d rather it be a different scenario, but we still can overcome that.”

Shanahan was referencing the 49ers’ 17-10 loss to the Cardinals

this season when Arizona overcame its cornerback attrition with a big assist from the pressure it placed on rookie QB Trey Lance. The 49ers will need a similar recipe Sunday, and their primary ingredient will be Bosa, who is tied for fourth in the NFL with 12 sacks and has 26 QB hits, 19 more than any other 49er.

Bosa figures to have plenty of opportunities Sunday. Last week, Burrow was dropped for six sacks and took 11 hits in a 41-22 loss to the Chargers, and he dislocated his right pinkie while absorbing a first-quarter sack. Los Angeles harassed Burrow even though Pro Bowl pass rusher Joey Bosa – Nick’s older brother – was limited to nine snaps.

Bosa has been rushing from both sides, right defensive and left

defensive end, since Dee Ford (back) was sidelined in late October. Before that, Bosa had rushed primarily from the right side since he entered the NFL in 2019, with Ford on his preferred left side when he played. Bosa has been given the freedom to choose on which side he plays during games.

“They will move ( Nick Bosa) around,” Burrow said. “I’m sure they have a reason for it. I haven’t quite figured it out, but you always have to be alert of where he’s going to be.”

One reason for the change: It’s more difficult for teams to double-team Bosa, the only member of the 49ers with more than 3.5 sacks, if they don’t know where he will be lining up on each snap.

Bosa said it initially felt awkward taking pass-rushing snaps on the

left side, but it’s looked rather seamless. He’s had seven sacks in the six games since he began swapping spots. Last week he sacked Seattle’s Russell Wilson and forced a fumble from left defensive end.

“It really doesn’t matter where he is, right?” said defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans, a former Pro Bowl linebacker. “He’s effective no matter where he is on the field. ... The one guy I played that was similar in that way was (All-Pro defensive lineman) J.J. Watt. He was a guy you could move around. Whatever the matchup was, he can win against anybody.

“So you allowed him to move around – whoever you want to go against, you take him. So that’s kind of the same approach we take with Nick.”

Sports

Local From Page A11 assists off the bench from Ricky Hamilton-Holland and nine points from James Ebert.

Cobbs also contributed five rebounds, four assists and two steals, while Jacob Ebert also had four assists and three steals.

Solano is scheduled to play at Folsom Lake on Tuesday.

Prep girls basketball

Mustangs stampede to 57-point win, take 3rd in tourney SACRAMENTO — The Rodriguez High girls basketball team bounced back from a tough loss in the semifinals to demolish River City of West Sacramento, 66-9, in the third-place game of the Viking Tournament at Valley of Sacramento, Saturday.

The Mustangs (7-1) led 26-0 after the first quarter and 50-2 at the half.

No individual stats were available

Christian Brothers 69, Rodriguez 64: In Friday’s semifinals, the Mustangs jumped to a 33-23 lead at halftime and led 52-42 after three quarters before being

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outscored 27-12 by the Falcons in the fourth.

Rose Jamison led Rodriguez with 24 points and added seven rebounds, while Camryn Washington added 20 points and Roniya Vaughn had a double-double with 10 points and 15 rebounds.

Rodriguez 56, Antelope 54: In Thursday’s first round, the Mustangs jumped to a 16-7 lead after the first quarter and upped it to 30-19 at the half before having to hold on over the final two quarters to get the win.

Camryn Washington topped Rodriguez with 18 points, followed

by Brooklyn Giles’s double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds and Rose Jamison with 13 points Vacaville 51, Armijo 34: At Woodland in Friday’s second-day of play in the Warren Mayer Tournament, the Bulldogs rolled past Monticello Empire League rival Armijo.

Brynlie Headrick paced Vacaville with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Lily Holman and Allyssa Shafer each scored eight points, and Nicole Taylor added four points.

Prep boys basketball

Solid Falcons advance to tourney finals ORINDA — The Fairfield High boys basketball played well throughout a 58-45 win over Casa Grande of Petaluma, Friday, in advancing to the championship game against the host team in the Miramonte Tournament on Saturday.

Today Showers

49

Air Quality Index 33 Precipitation 0-50 51-100 101-150 151-200 201-300 Last 24 hours................................0″ Good Moderate Unhealthy Unhealthy Very sensitive unhealthy Month-to-date....................... 0.03″ Normal Dec. rainfall ............. 4.30″ Source: Bay Area Air Quality Management District Season-to-date.......................... NA Normal seasonal rainfall....24.81″ UV Index This date last year...................... NA x Source: NWS and NOAA <2 3-5 6-7 8-10 11+ Good Moderate

High

Very High Extreme

Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency

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From Page A10

WINTER LEAGUE STANDINGS As of Dec. 9 Tuesday AM League

W L Pts Plan B 9 6 149 Capitani 8 10 142 Bocce Friends 8 4 129 No Mercy 6 6 125 Do It Again 5 10 137 Tuesday PM League W L Pts Bells & Beaus 14 4 191 Serranos 9 3 135 Untouchable 6 9 128 New Bee’s 3 12 92 Wednesday AM League W L Pts Roll’Em 14 7 227 Bocce Bulldogs 11 7 188 Sons Of Italy 7 11 170 Oh Sugar 7 14 168 Thursday AM League

W L Pts Red Devils 15 3 195 Mama’s & Papa’s 11 7 187 Bocce Cruisers 9 9 177 Real Mccoys 8 10 155 What If 7 11 136 A Round Tuit 4 14 149 Tuesday AM Weekly Results Capitani 2,Plan B 1 Bocce Friends 2,Do It Again 1 No Mercy Bye Tuesday PM Weekly Results Serranos 2,Untouchable 1 Bells & Beaus 3,New Bee’s 0 Wednesday AM Weekly Results Bocce Bulldogs 2,Oh Sugar 1 Roll’Em 2,Sons Of Italy 1 Thursday AM Weekly Results Red Devils 3,A Round Tuit 0 Real Mccoys 2,Bocce Cruisers 1 What If 2,Mama’S & Papa’S 1

Davis 47|46 Dixon Santa Rosa 48|46 52|46 Vacaville Napa 48|47 51|50 Fairfield/Suisun City 49|49 Vallejo Benicia 49|50 Rio Vista 53|51 48|46 Concord 54|52 Richmond 55|51 Walnut Creek 54|52 Oakland 54|54 San Francisco 57|52

Shown is today’s weather.

Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Sunrise..............................7:15 a.m.

Sunset...............................4:48 p.m.

Moonrise..........................1:29 p.m.

Moonset.............. 2:06 a.m. (Mon.) San New First Qtr. Full Last Qtr. Pablo Today

Jan. 2 Jan. 9 Dec. 18 Dec. 26 Monday

Source: U.S. Naval Observatory

Tonight

Fairfield Bocce Federation

Northgate 64, Wood 35: At Brentwood in Friday’s semifinals of the Liberty Tournament, the Wildcats (5-1) struggled on both ends of the floor in suffering their first defeat of the season.

“We just couldn’t get anything to work right on offense and we slowly lost focus and struggled offensively and defensively,” Wood coach Mark Wudel said. “Nothing seemed to work.”

Gabe Gonzalez led the Wiildcats with nine points and Isaac Sanchez added seven.

Wood 53, DeAnza 48: In Thursday’s first round, Krishna Clay had a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Devan Minouei scored 12 points and had seven rebounds, and Kanye Kroon and Remy Hardin each added eight points.

“It was a sloppy game for both teams as there was a lot of turnovers and bad shooting,” Wudel said. “But we were able to hold on and execute at the end of the game to pull ahead for the victory.”

Almanac

Navy: Sinks Army

Bocce

In Friday’s semifinals of the Miramonte tournament, the Falcons outscored the Gauchos in all four quarters, their biggest edge an 18-10 advantage in the second to give them a 32-23 lead at halftime.

Jeremiah Cardwell topped Fairfield with 16 points, followed by Vido Caragan with 14 and Ray Holt Jr. with 10.

Logan Bailey led the Gauchos with 14, while Brandon Allred netted 10.

Statistics for Travis Air Force Base for yesterday through 5 p.m.

Temperature High/Low.............................58°/29° Average high .......................... 55.8° Average low............................ 39.1° A year ago............................ NA/NA Barometric pressure............30.10 Humidity...................................69%

DAILY REPUBLIC — Sunday, December 12, 2021 A13

49 Monday Rainy and windy

53|41

‘We were going to come out swinging. We’ve been hearing a lot of stuff that the tables have turned and that they’re on top.

We’ve never felt that. I just never felt that way.’

— Ken Niumataolo, Navy coach

it with the Air Raid. In a rivalry known for bruising rushing attacks, the Black Knights dropped back to pass on the second snap of the day. They scored two plays later when quarterback Christian Anderson faked a fullback dive, pulled the ball back and followed a blocker to the left to go untouched for a 56-yard touchdown.

Army went back to the air on the first two snaps of its second possession and used a 12-yard completion on third and nine to move into the red zone. But the Black Knights would settle for a 31-yard field goal, and they managed just 91 yards after their opening two drives.

“We were going to come out swinging,” Niumatalolo said. “We’ve been hearing a lot of stuff that the tables have turned and that they’re on top. We’ve never felt that. I just never felt that way.”

San Mateo 57|54 Palo Alto 55|53

San Jose 54|51

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in what ended with a 42-yard field goal to extend the lead to 17-13.

Navy set up to punt after going three and out when long snapper Ethan Nguyen called a fake and snapped it to linebacker Diego Fagot, who ran for four yards and the first down. Fagot was actually calling out a protection for the punt, and Nguyen just snapped it to him.

The ball almost hit Fagot in the face.

“Sometimes it’s good to be lucky,” Navy Coach Ken Niumatalolo said.

“A little miscommunication there, but players got to make plays. I didn’t know we were going to do it either.

“Thank goodness it worked.”

Fagot added: “As a linebacker, you kind of already have tunnel vision. I wasn’t really expecting it. So when I caught it, I just started running straight.”

Navy started the season with three straight losses before dropping six of the first seven games. Offensive coordinator Ivin Jasper was fired by Athletic Director Chet Gladchuk after a loss to Air Force before being brought back as quarterbacks coach. The three service academies split the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy for the first time since 1993.

On Saturday, the Mids’ defense held the Black Knights (8-4) to just 232 total yards, including 124 on the ground.

Army looked like it had abandoned its version of the triple option early in the game and replaced

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0.72 1.45 1.19 0.91

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Suisun High (feet) Low Today 9:54 a.m. 4.96 3:47 a.m.

10:02 p.m. 3.71 4:45 p.m.

Monday 10:36 a.m. 5.13 4:32 a.m.

11:09 p.m. 3.69 5:47 p.m.

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Sports

Portland Timbers lose penalty shootout to NYCFC in MLS Cup Tribune Content Agency With seconds left in their season, the Portland Timbers looked headed to a shutout loss in the first-ever MLS Cup final played in their home stadium.

Then, a stunning goal and new life.

But when the Timbers found themselves down in the championshipdeciding penalty shootout against visiting New York City FC, they couldn’t dig out of the hole a second time.

NYCFC won its first MLS Cup title since joining the league in 2015, downing the Timbers 4-2 in penalty kicks Saturday after the teams played to a 1-1 draw through regulation time and 30 minutes of extra time.

Felipe Mora’s goal in the fourth and final minute of second-half stoppage time to tie the game 1-1 jolted the Providence Park crowd, which was increasingly becoming resigned to a Timbers defeat as the clock ticked well past 90 minutes.

Mora’s second goal in two games came on a scramble in front of the net, where the ball bounced among several bodies before settling at his feet for a shot that eluded NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson and sent the mostly proPortland crowd of 25,218 into a frenzy.

Suddenly, what looked like the Timbers’ second scoreless effort in 25 matches was heading to overtime, which Portland mostly dominated.

But the shellshocked visitors, who angrily pro-

Sean Meagher/Tribune Content Agency

The Portland Timbers face New York City FC in the 2021 MLS Cup at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon, Saturday. tested Mora’s goal over their belief a foul had been committed by the Timbers in the build-up, held on to force penalties.

In penalty kicks, NYCFC prevailed as Mora and Diego Valeri missed the first two kicks for the Timbers, putting them behind for good. Santiago Moreno and Cristhian Paredes converted penalties for the Timbers, and Portland goalkeeper Steve Clark saved one of NYCFC’s attempts, but it was too little, too late.

Alexander Callens’ goal in the fifth round gave the visitors their fourth conversion and an insurmountable advantage.

The Timbers players sunk to their knees in despair as the NYC players and coaches sprinted onto the field in elation. The Timbers Army section briefly fell silent as NYCFC’s sizable

fan contingent in the southwest corner of the stadium erupted, but the home fans soon came alive again to show appreciation for Portland’s playoff run.

For Valeri, who drew a huge ovation when he came on as a substitute in the 89th minute of regulation, the penalty miss could be a bitter end to his incredible Timbers career. Both he and Mora looked to beat Johnson with low shots to their left, but the keeper guessed correctly both times and dove to his right to smother the attempts.

There has been speculation that Valeri, the club’s all-time leading scorer and 2017 MLS MVP, will be leaving the Timbers after his playing time was drastically reduced in the second half of the season.

In extra time, he had a decent look at a shot from

the edge of the penalty area in the 101st minute, but put the attempt over the crossbar.

In the 122nd minute, Valeri played a pass to Paredes, who fired a shot that was ticketed for the far left corner but Johnson was up to the task and made a tough save after rarely being tested through the first 90 minutes.

Valentin “Taty” Castellanos scored the only goal of regulation for NYCFC in the 41st minute, his league-leading 22nd of the season including the playoffs.

After a nervous first 15 minutes by the Timbers, the hosts began to push forward and create promising opportunities, but nothing materialized to challenge Johnson.

NYCFC then broke through on a free kick earned after a foul by Portland’s Claudio Bravo.

On the ensuing set piece from 27 yards on the right wing, Maximiliano Moralez struck a wellweighted ball to the far post to Castellanos, whose header trickled into the net after being deflected by Clark.

The goal was the third of the postseason for Castellanos after the 23-year-old Argentinian striker nicknamed “Taty” tied for the league lead with 19 regularseason goals.

Portland’s best look of the first half came in stoppage time when Sebastian Blanco ripped a shot from long range that skidded just outside the left post.

Blanco returned to the Timbers lineup after suffering a left leg injury during the Western Conference semifinal against Colorado. He sat out of the Western Conference final win over Real Salt Lake, but came back to play 60 minutes Saturday, after which he was replaced by Moreno.

In the second half, the Timbers continued to press for an equalizer but struggled to turn promising build-ups into high-quality chances, and put only one shot on target until Mora’s tying goal.

Both Portland and NYCFC finished in fourth place in their respective conferences in the regular season, making each team an underdog to reach the championship game.

The Timbers previously won the MLS Cup in Columbus in 2015, then lost in their second appearance in Atlanta in 2018.

Young From Page A10 quarterback his Friday night football game but took a separate ferry out to Catalina first thing Saturday morning to join his classmates and complete his class assignment,” Montgomery wrote in an email. “Managing all aspects of being a studentathlete was a credit to him and our football program.

“Bryce always let his performance on the football field speak for himself. I remember hearing football fans rave about him being a ‘fivestar athlete.’ When I spoke to him he never mentioned it. I found him a breath of fresh air on many levels.”

Young transferred to Mater Dei for his junior season in 2018, wanting to test himself against the best teams and players in Southern California.

He immediately led the Monarchs to the Southern Section Division 1 championship and a CIF Open Division bowl victory. The team went 14-1 and Young completed 70% of his passes, throwing for 3,866 yards and 39 touchdowns.

He was committed to USC but changed to Alabama during his senior season in 2019, when he was The Times’ player of the year. Coach Bruce Rollinson said that season that Young would go down “as the greatest quarterback” in Mater Dei history.

Pearson said Alabama’s offensive coordinator, Bill O’Brien, recently visited him on a recruiting trip.

“He said the smartest player he coached was Tom Brady and Bryce is right there with him,” Pearson said. “College coaches are now going to look for Bryce Youngs.

He’s so special in everything. He’s just a different talent in all ways.”