Julie Andrews has revealed how she felt when she met her Mary Poppins co-star Dick Van Dyke for the first time.

Andrews, 88, starred opposite Van Dyke, 98, in the classic 1964 movie musical. She opened up about the memory during the two-hour CBS special “Dick Van Dyke 98 Years of Magic,” which aired Thursday (Dec. 21).

“If I remember correctly, it was very hot in early September and the Disney team had built a large stage out in the back of the studio and created a shade roof out of a huge tarp,” the Sound of Music actor explained. “When I arrived on the first day, Dick was already working with the choreographers and dancers.”

She continued: “I had never done a film before, and I had given birth to my beautiful daughter Emma almost six weeks earlier, and I quickly realized that I had better pull up my socks and get in shape.” I found It's pretty daunting, I can tell you that.

Andrews remembered Van Dyke as “young, as fit as can be and truly stunning to look at,” adding that the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang actor “couldn't have been kinder, genuinely sweeter and more helpful.” I like to think so “We hit it off straight away.”

“It was so nice to see him imitating the animated penguins or trying to ride the pony on the carousel. Become a magical chimney sweep. Actually, I think it was a very enjoyable film for the entire company,” she said.

“Mary Poppins” star Dick Van Dyke (Getty Images)

Andrews' first film role as the eponymous Mary Poppins, a magical nanny who brings fun and imagination into the lives of the two Banks children, earned her an Oscar for Best Actress. The next year she received an award for her starring role in 1965's The Sound of Music, followed by a third nomination in 1982 for the comedy musical Victor/Victoria.

Van Dyke, who played Bert in the original, returned for the 2018 sequel Mary Poppins Returns to play Mr. Dawes Jr., the son of Van Dyke, the greedy director of London's most important financial center also starred in the 1964 classic.

In early February, the Bye Bye Birdie actor revealed his secret to staying so young. “Having a beautiful young woman half my age taking care of me—that works!” Van Dyke told Yahoo!.

He credited his wife, 52-year-old makeup artist Arlene Silver, with helping him maintain a “positive attitude” and go to the gym “three days a week” to work out.

“I encourage everyone to do that because that’s how people age,” he said. “It's just a matter of stiffening up and not exercising the muscles and lungs. Practice is the answer.”

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Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met with President Xi Jinping of China at a hotel in San Francisco on November 16. Both leaders were there to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC, Summit. The Kishida-Xi meeting was the first between the two men since November 2022. It lasted some 65 minutes with simultaneous interpretation. However, Xi made no move to address any of the top issues plaguing Japan-China relations. 

One such issue is China’s arbitrary detention of Japanese nationals under its amended counterespionage law. Another is the situation in the East China Sea, including the Senkaku Islands. Japan’s third concern is China’s increased military activities around Japan, including its cooperation with Russia.

Unfortunately, there was not the slightest movement towards solving these vexing bilateral issues. 

The two leaders confirmed the “broad direction of building a constructive and stable Japan-China relationship.” They also discussed the comprehensive promotion of mutually beneficial strategic relations. However, in light of the failure to bridge the gap between the two countries, the meeting cannot be viewed as a success.

Prime Minister Kishida (second from the front on the left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (third from the front on the right) held a bilateral summit on November 16 in San Francisco. (© Pool photo via Kyodo)

Laying Out the Issues

Prime Minister Kishida urged President Xi to adopt a calm, scientifically-based response to the release of treated water from TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station into the ocean and immediately remove restrictions on the import of Japanese food products. 

He also conveyed Japan’s serious concerns about the situation in the East China Sea, including China’s increasing military activity in the area. Kishida demanded the immediate removal of Chinese maritime buoys placed in Japan’s exclusive economic zone around the Senkakus.

The Prime Minister also requested the early release of Japanese nationals being detained in China. Moreover, he stressed the importance of “peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.”

A Chinese Coast Guard vessel (in the center) intruded into territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa. Meanwhile, a Japan Coast Guard patrol boat was on guard following it. (©Nakama, Hitoshi City, Ishigaki, Okinawa)

China’s Wall of Aggression

Xi chose to refer to the treated water as “nuclear-contaminated water,” a term that does not correspond to the facts. He also deflected the discussion of the Taiwan issue by saying, “Japan should do nothing to undermine the foundation of Sino-Japanese relations.”

Unless China changes its unyielding attitude towards Japan, the harsh perceptions towards China among the Japanese people, including the business community, are not likely to change.

As our two East Asian countries are separated by only a strip of water,  we would naturally like to see Japan and China building friendly relations. But the reality is that our bilateral relationship continues to cool. And that is due to China’s behavior. Xi needs to change his nation’s stance of trying to assert itself by brandishing its military and economic power.

People protest against Chinese President Xi Jinping on the day of the APEC CEO Summit in San Francisco, on November 15, 2023. (©REUTERS by Loren Elliott)

Deterring China’s Global Intransigence

During the meeting, Kishida raised concerns about the human rights situation for the Uyghurs of Xinjiang Province as well as conditions in Hong Kong. The conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East were also discussed.

It is concerning that the Prime Minister did not offer any explanation about these issues in the comments he made to reporters after the meeting. Japan is a nation that places great emphasis on human rights and is currently the G7 chair. We would hope that the Prime Minister would speak and act accordingly. 

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The meeting showed that President Xi remains intransigent. That being so, while continuing to engage in dialogue with Beijing, Japan needs to work with the United States, and other allies and like-minded countries to improve deterrence against China.

RELATED:

(Read the editorial in Japanese.)

Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun

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WASHINGTON –

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to travel to San Francisco next week for the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly and International Trade Minister Mary Ng are also to take part in the visit Nov. 15-17.

A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office suggests Trudeau will be focused on ways to fuel climate-friendly economic growth with Canada’s allies and partners.

The Canadian delegation will also be looking at how to facilitate trade, identify opportunities in the digital space and build economic empowerment for women.

Trudeau is vowing to foster open economic co-operation and the removal of trade barriers to benefit people on both sides of the Pacific Ocean.

Like previous APEC meetings, this year’s summit — which runs Nov. 11-17 — is expected to generate large public protests around themes like climate change and income inequality.

“When we open up new markets for Canadian goods and innovation, and make sure the world can invest in Canada, we deliver real results for the middle class,” Trudeau said in a statement.

“By working together, we will create new opportunities for our workers and businesses, make progress in the fight against climate change and drive economic growth that works for everyone.”

As leader of the host country, U.S. President Joe Biden will preside over the week’s main event, the meeting of APEC economic leaders, to establish what one State Department official called a “strategic vision” for regional collaboration.

Ambassador Matt Murray, the Biden administration’s senior official for APEC, said the theme for this year’s meeting is “creating a resilient and sustainable future for all.”

The Asia-Pacific region represents 40 per cent of the world’s population, half of all global trade and 60 per cent of the world economy, Murray told a briefing call earlier this week.

One look at the numbers makes it clear why stronger economic ties in the area are so important to the U.S.: exports to APEC countries were worth $1.3 trillion in 2021, supporting almost seven million U.S. jobs, Murray said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2023.

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Berkshire Agricultural Ventures celebrates a new food safety hotline

Great Barrington—  Berkshire Agricultural Ventures (BAV) is excited to announce two significant milestones in its mission to bolster the regional food supply chain: the opening of the BAV/AgriForaging Food Safety Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) Hotline and a successful visit by the USDA to BAV’s headquarters in Great Barrington.

BAV has partnered with AgriForaging Food Safety to introduce the AgriForaging Food Safety HACCP Hotline. This initiative is part of the Local Meat Processing Support Program, which strives to provide guidance and support for meat and poultry processors across the region. 

This dedicated hotline is open every Thursday from noon to 4 p.m., offering industry experts’ insights into state and federal meat and poultry compliance regulations, as well as HACCP principles. The hotline is committed to providing personalized solutions for a wide range of compliance questions, ensuring peace of mind for local processors as they navigate the complexities of food safety regulations. For more information or to schedule a call, visit https://www.berkshireagventures.org/haccp-hotline.

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Pittsfield Community Television hosts 36th annual meeting and celebration 

Pittsfield — Pittsfield Community Cable Broadcasting, Inc., which operates Pittsfield Community Television and WTBR-FM, held its 36th Annual Meeting and Celebration on Thursday, September 21st at the Polish Falcons Club on Belair Avenue in Pittsfield. New board members were elected, and recognitions of achievement in programming and community service were awarded.

The annual meeting began with PCTV’s Executive Director Shawn Serre championing a successful year. Serre advocated for modernizing the funding models for community media and highlighted a bill currently in committee in the state legislature which would help support organizations like PCTV. “It’s a fair and equitable method of providing support for the critical local news and programming that PCTV and similar organizations around the state provide. We need to act together, right now, to preserve and promote the services that PCTV has been providing our community for almost 40 years,” Serre said.

PCTV President Susetta Doucette gave a report to the members of the organization and emphasized the work that the board and staff have accomplished in the past year. Treasurer Cindy Shogry-Raimer delivered the treasurer’s report to the members and informed them that the financial position of the organization is strong. Two incumbent board directors were re-elected during the annual meeting. Returning for new three-year terms are board Vice-President Jonah Sykes and Assistant Vice-President Brian Andrews; newly elected to the board at this year’s meeting are Joshua Cutler and Charles Walker.

Jonah Sykes, re-elected incumbent board member of PCTV.

Jonah Sykes is the Director of Marketing and Communications at Berkshire Community College. He has served on the PCTV Board since 2017 and has contributed to the Advancement Committee as a co-chair. Sykes previously worked at Berkshire United Way in fundraising and marketing and has served on the board of 1Berkshire, Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity, and Berkshire Young Professionals, as well as several community initiatives across the Berkshires. He is a graduate of Taconic High School, earned his bachelor’s at MCLA and his master’s degree from St. Rose College in Albany.

Brian Andrews, re-elected incumbent board member of PCTV.

Brian Andrews is a nationally certified Paramedic and President/CEO of County Ambulance, Inc. in Pittsfield, which provides paramedic-level ambulance and intercept service to the Berkshire County area. Brian is also President of EMSCO of Berkshire County, past President of Western Massachusetts EMS, and a member of its executive committee. He is a member of many local task forces. Andrews was first elected to the PCTV board in 2018 and chairs the equipment and facilities committee.

Joshua Cutler, newly elected board member to PCTV.

Joshua Cutler is a fourth-generation Pittsfield native who is deeply invested in the local business and nonprofit communities. A veteran of the banking industry of a decade, he is now the Manufacturing Project Lead/Program Performance Analyst at General Dynamics in Pittsfield. He has served on the Pittsfield Public School Committee, has been a member of the Board of Trustees of Temple Anshe Amunim for the last 11 years, serves as Treasurer of the Board of Directors of Eagles Band Inc., and is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires.

Charles Walker, newly elected board member to PCTV.

Charles Walker is a broadcast television and digital media content producer with more than 45 years’ experience. After more than 35 years at Disney/ABC News he recently retired. At ABC News he contributed significantly to the development of ABC News Digital, the company’s media streaming service for news content acquisition and distribution. His experience includes production at television stations in Oklahoma City, Houston, San Francisco and Los Angeles as well as nationally and internationally for ABC News, Tribune Broadcasting and other communication and entertainment industry leaders. He lives in Pittsfield, where he continues to produce television programs, independent films and live streaming media content. 

The Celebration portion of the event was lively, as the organization handed out several awards for excellence in programming and community service. Finally, PCTV awarded Community Programming Accomplishment certificates to several member producers. The certificates recognize five, ten, and fifteen-year milestones in producing community programming.

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MCLA Alumni Association to hold awards ceremony for distinguished alumni and friends of the college

North Adams — On Saturday, October 21st, the MCLA Alumni Association will hold its annual Alumni Awards Brunch to recognize distinguished alumni and friends of the College for their accomplishments.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Photo courtesy of coplac.org.

The event will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on campus in Murdock Hall Room 218, with a special time set aside for photos of awardees from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.

The following recipients will be recognized:

• Kevin Pink ’09, 2023 Vanguard Award
• Benjamin Lamb ’07, 2023 Service to the College Award
• James Chapman ’15, 2023 Distinguished Alumnus Award
• Lindsay St. Pierre-McGinnis, M.Ed. ’08, 2023 Outstanding Educator Award
• Laurie Dias-Mitchell ’81, 2023 Community Service & Citizenship Award
• Arlene Wynn ’63, 2023 Outstanding Educator Emeritus Award (posthumous)

To purchase tickets and view descriptions of each award, please visit https://lnk.mcla.edu/snjc2.

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Frost Stone House Museum receives two grants totaling more than $24,000

Bennington — The Robert Frost Stone House Museum at Bennington College has received a total of $24,250 in grants from the Vermont Arts Council and the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development’s Historic Preservation Barn Grant program. Both grants will help restore the property’s distinctive New England barns and make greater use of these spaces for programs and events.

“The barns on this property are part of the landscape that inspired Robert Frost’s poetry and supported his life as a farmer,” said Erin McKenny, the director of the Robert Frost Stone House Museum at Bennington College. “These funds are tremendously useful in our efforts to restore  these beautiful and historic agricultural spaces and to welcome the public to experience their continued significance and enduring charm.”

Robert Frost Stone House Museum. Photo by Phil Holland.

The Historic Preservation Barn Grant of $5,500, which must be matched by the College, will be used to replace the metal roof on the largest of the property’s outbuildings. With the roof repaired, the museum will expand the use of the barn for readings, concerts, art installations, workshops, and their annual Holiday Makers’ Market.

The Vermont Arts Council’s grant of $18,750 will support the installation of electricity and plumbing to the historic barn. The grant was a part of more than $300,000 in Cultural Facilities Grants to nineteen Vermont arts and community organizations. The funds provide organizations with resources to enhance, create, or expand the capacity of existing buildings that offer cultural activities for the public.

For more information, visit https://www.bennington.edu/robert-frost-stone-house-donation-page.

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Berkshire Community College sees significant increase in enrolled students

 Pittsfield — Berkshire Community College (BCC) reports an increase in students from 1,367 in 2022 to 1,601 in 2023, representing an increase of 17.1%, the largest percent increase in students since the institution started tracking this metric in 1991. The last time BCC experienced an increase of this magnitude was 2009, when the number of students increased by 14.3%.

For matriculated students, BCC reported an increase from 1,079 in 2022 to 1,173 in 2023, an 8.7% increase. A matriculated student is any student who is enrolled in a program to pursue a degree or a certificate. For overall credits taken by students, the institution reported a 12.0% increase.

The largest share of these gains comes from dual enrollment students (high school students) and Pre-Nursing students, followed by Liberal Arts and Business Administration students.

Berkshire Community College. Photo courtesy Berkshire Community College.

Adam Klepetar, Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, said that while the increase in enrollment cannot be definitively linked to any particular source, positive indicators include the Commonwealth’s new MassReconnect program, the recent funding supporting scholarships for community college nursing programs, and BCC’s increased online offerings.

MassReconnect provides Massachusetts residents ages 25 and older with access to free associate degrees and certificates at community colleges. This fall, 47.5% of matriculated BCC students are in the age group eligible for the program.

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Learn how anyone over age 25 without a degree can attend BCC for free

Pittsfield — Berkshire Community College (BCC) continues its series of special community college information sessions on Wednesday, November 1st at 5 p.m. and Thursday, November 30th at 5 p.m. The November 1st session will be held in Room G-12 on BCC’s main campus, located at 1350 West Street in Pittsfield. The November 30th session will be held online. Both sessions are free.

To register for either session, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/massreconnect. Financial aid, admissions, and advising staff will be on hand.

The event is part of MassReconnect, a program that pays the full costs of community college for adults 25 and older who do not already have a college degree. MassReconnect covers tuition and fees for eligible students, who also receive an allowance to pay for books and supplies.

Students are eligible for the MassReconnect program if they:

• Are 25 or older on the first day of classes
• Are enrolled in and pursuing a program of higher education at a public community college
• Have not previously earned a college degree
• Are enrolled in at least six credits per semester
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Are a Massachusetts resident

For questions regarding the MassReconnect program, contact the BCC Admissions Office at admissions@berkshirecc.edu or 413-499-4660. Further information, including full program guidelines, is also available at www.mass.edu/osfa/programs/massreconnect.asp.

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Nominations open for Berkshire Community College ‘40 Under Forty’ awards

Pittsfield — Berkshire Community College (BCC) announces nominations are now open for the annual “40 Under Forty” awards, which will be held Thursday, March 21st.

“40 Under Forty” is an annual celebration of talented people in the Berkshires, under the age of 40, who have a deep dedication to improving the quality of life for those living and working in our community. 40 Under Forty awards honor people from all walks of life who are making a difference in the Berkshires.

Nominees are eligible for this award through:

• Their professional work and how it makes a difference; or
• Their personal commitment to their community; or
• Other efforts to improve the quality of life for those living and working the Berkshires.

1Berkshire, BCC’s strategic partner, has identified recruiting and retaining young people as an economic imperative for Berkshire County. By celebrating this younger generation of people in the Berkshires, we underscore the importance of their contributions to our community and to its future prosperity. To make a nomination, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/40-under-forty. Nominations close Wednesday, November 29th. For more information, email 40under40@berkshirecc.edu or call 413-236-2185.

The post BUSINESS BRIEFS: Berkshire Agricultural Ventures meals security hotline; PCTV annual assembly; MCLA Alumni awards; Frost Stone Home Museum receives grants; BCC enrollment enhance; Over 25? Attend BCC totally free!; ‘40 Below Forty’ nominations open appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

Fairmont San Francisco Hotel
San Francisco, California

12:13 P.M. PDT

THE PRESIDENT:  This is a 14-hour meeting.  (Laughter.)

Look, let me begin by saying that one of the things that disturbed me — being involved in elective office for a long time — is how, over the last 30 years, the federal government has paid less and less attention to investments in science and technology. 

And we’re in a situation where we used to have a significant portion of our GDP going into research and development.  And it got down to 0.7 percent from 2 percent.  We used to lead the world.

And I don’t know how we can be the safest, most secure, and healthiest nation in the world without significant investment in — in science and technology, and I mean that.  And so, you’ve all really stepped up.

And one of the things that I also — it doesn’t directly relate today, but Arati and I talked a little bit about it earlier this morning — is that: What leaders say matter, in terms of people’s confidence in things they’re not sure about. 

And one of those areas — you saw what happened with regard to the crisis — health crisis that we had that cost us — we lost well over a million people.  And as time began to move on, you had more and more voices saying, “No, no, no.  You don’t need to get that shot.  You don’t need to be — get — you don’t need to.” 

And we have a new strain of COVID now, and we have answers for it.  But I just would urge those in public life and both political parties or no political party to be cautious about the ac- — the sometimes inflammatory things you say about this, because people’s lives are at stake. 

And the last piece was: When I was vice president, for a slightly different reason, I spent a lot of time going between rural areas and urban areas.  And one of the things that we — you’re going to talk about here is the — the healthcare workers reflecting the community.  We need not only to have more focus on rural communities and rural hospitals in order to get the kind of care and — and attention they need, but we need to have people from those communities to be the ones who are trained and engaged in that effort.  And I think that — again, Arati raised that with me this morning. 

I — I can’t tell you how certain I am that that is necessary, and I’m not a scientist.  It matters.  It matters who you go to and do you trust what they’re doing.  Do you think they know what they’re talking about?

And so, Dr. Zuber, thank you.  I’m really looking forward to this discussion.

And this group represents some of the top minds in America.  And that’s, again, not hyperbole.  That’s a fact.

I’ve often said, America is the only nation in the world  that can be defined by one word.  I spent a lot of time with Xi Jinping when I was vice president and subsequent to that.  And he once asked me, on the Tibetan Plateau, could I define America for him?  And I mean this sincerely — not a joke.  I said, “Yes.  One word: possibilities.”

We’ve always believed that anything is possible if we set our mind to it.  Possibilities.

And science and technology is allowing us to unlock the potential as a nation and meet the challenges of our time with some sense of urgency and purpose.  I can’t emphasize the word “urgency” too much. 

I’d hate like hell if three generations from now, them to look back on this period where we had the potential tools to explore and increase significantly our ability to help, and we somehow mes- — messed it up.  No, no, I mean it sincerely.  I’m sorry to talk so plainly, but I think that’s what it gets down to in many cases.

So, I’m looking forward to discussing actions that we’re taking on two priorities: AI — artificial intelligence — and expanding high-quality healthcare for every American no matter where they’re quartered, where they live, what their background is.

You know, as we just heard, AI has the potential to transform research, and I’m looking forward to learning much more today.

And, by the way, I’m not joking.  My latest two trips around the world — and not figuratively; literally around the world — to meet with other world leaders, ev- — well, I wouldn’t say “everyone.”  I can think of — I can’t think of anybody who didn’t, but I’m sure I will — there was some world leader who didn’t ask me. 

They wanted to talk about our leadership on artificial intelligence and what the meetings — what we — I’ve conducted already around tables similar to this with the 10, 12 major, major initiators within AI — and the vast differences that exist among them in terms of what potential it has, what dangers there are. 

And so, you know, I’ve been keen — I have a keen interest in AI and convened key experts on how to harness the power of artificial intelligence for good while protecting people from the profound risk it also presents — we can’t kid ourselves — the profound risk if we don’t do it well. 

And the United States is committed to that goal.  And we’re going to work with world leaders to achieve it, including British Prime Minister Su- — Sunak and others that I’ve been — they want to do more together with us.  

And I want to thank — thanks to our administrations, 15 American technology companies have already begun to implement voluntary commitments to help ensure that AI technology is safe, secure, and trustworthy before it’s released to the public.  That includes extensive independent safety testing.  That includes watermarking and identifying images that have been generated by AI. 

And — and to state the obvious: AI — AI extends beyond health and security issues.  I applaud the tentative resolution from the writers strike, for example, here — not here — in California, in Los Angeles, including insurances on how the use of AI will occur. 

This fall, I’m going to take executive action, and my administration is going to continue to work with bipartisan legislation so America leads the way toward responsible AI innovation. 

We’re also taking action to ensure our loved ones have access to high-quality healthcare, starting with the PCAST release — report you released on strengthening patient safety.  I made very brief reference to it at the beginning, but it is really, really critical. 

And today, I’m announcing major investments in patient safety from ARPA-H to develop antibiotics and to fight deadly drug-resistant bacteria and save lives.  Think of that.  We’re talking about the potential for antibiotics to be used to deal with ca- — anyway, it just — 

When I start reading your reports, I think to myself, “My, Lord, what an incredible era we’re about to go through.”  But it has to be done well. 

And so, finding and implementing solutions to reduce medical errors and other problems for patients’ experiences when hospitalized is going to improve health outcomes and protect our loved ones as well. 

And Joe Kiani knows a lot about that — been working with it a long, long time. 

My administration is committed to ensuring every American receives high-quality care they deserve in every community — urban, rural, suburban, Tribal — I — and — and it varies as to who — think about your — I — I say to the public who may be listening: Think about whether or not — who you go to and how much you trust that doc is going to impact on whether you follow the instructions.  No, I — I mean it.  It is a very basic human nature element.  And that’s why having people from, quote, “the neighborhood” makes a big difference, I think. 

And — and so, it’s going to reduce medical errors and other problems patient fac- — face when they’re hospitalized.  And I believe it’s going to improve outcomes and protect the people we love. 

My administration is committed to ensuring every American receives high-quality care they deserve in every community, as I said.  And ultimately, it’s all about dignity — it’s all about dignity. 

The actions we take together are going to help protect people’s health.  They’re going to promote innovation.  And we’re going to win the economic competition of the 21st century, in my humble opinion. 

And I’ll just say: If we have a government shutdown, a lot of vital work in science and health could be impacted, from cancer research to food safety.  So, the American people need our Republican friends in the House of Representatives to do their job: fund the government. 

We’ve got a lot to discuss, so let’s get this meeting started.  I’d rather hear from you than me.  Thank you.

Q    Mr. President, do you think the government shutdown is inevitable at this point?  Over here, sir.  Do you —

THE PRESIDENT:  I don’t think anything is inevitable in politics.

Q    What — what can be done now to make — to make sure it doesn’t happen?

THE PRESIDENT:  If I knew that, I would have done it already.  (Laughter.)

12:22 P.M. PDT

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Sports // San Francisco Giants

Nov 21, 2022Updated: Nov 21, 2022 6:54 pm

Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees smiles after a solo home run by Harrison Bader in the sixth inning against the Houston Astros in game four of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 23, 2022.

Elsa/Getty Images

The Aaron Judge stove is officially too hot to touch.

The 2022 AL MVP was seen in a San Francisco hotel in a video posted by MLB Network Monday night. Shortly after the video was posted, it was reported that Judge is in the Bay Area to meet with the Giants, one of his top suitors this offseason. Judge will meet with the team Tuesday, according to an MLB.com report, which called the Giants “one of the biggest threats to the Yankees in the Judge sweepstakes.”

Twitter

— jonmorosi Twitter

In the clip, Judge is asked what he’s doing in the city. He tells the person behind the camera that he’s “visiting some friends and family. That’s about it, that’s about it,” before winking. Judge is from Linden, a small town about 100 miles east of San Francisco. His parents still live there.

Of course, the real major breaking news from this clip is what’s happening under Judge’s chin. The 30-year-old appears to be rocking a bit of stubble as he’s prepared to explore his options during the most captivating free agency saga this winter.

The Yankees famously have a rule against facial hair on their players. Could this be a sign that Judge is preparing for a life where he no longer has to abide by such tyranny? The money might ultimately matter more, but such a change probably couldn’t hurt.

Gabe Fernandez is a sports reporter for SFGATE. You can reach him at gabe.fernandez@sfgate.com.

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San Francisco’s 47-year-old mayor, London Breed, grew up in this city of postcard views, but much of that was not part of her youth. “I grew up in poverty,” she said. “I grew up in public housing, so I wasn’t really exposed early on to all of the beauty that you see now. I didn’t know some of these neighborhoods even existed in San Francisco.”

For this mayor who has risen from poverty, fighting the city’s inequality is one of her major challenges. In an area that’s home to many of the world’s most valuable companies, San Francisco now counts 8,000 homeless people, the fourth highest rate of any US city, and that has been made worse by some of the country’s highest housing prices.

Smash-and-grab robberies, along with car break-ins, have become their own postcard, underscored by the fact that police solve less than seven percent of those property crimes, infuriating both residents and the city’s more than $6 billion tourism industry.

Correspondent John Blackstone asked Breed, “You said yourself, many people in the city don’t feel safe here any longer.”

“Yeah, and I think that’s why we’re working on it,” she replied, “with making sure we’re able to add more police officers. We’re working on it by having alternatives to policing, to respond to people who are dealing with mental health challenges.”

San Francisco Mayor London Breed with correspondent John Blackstone.

CBS News

After Breed was elected four years ago, she picked up a broom and planned to spent tens of millions of dollars a year cleaning the streets. In total, San Francisco is spending one billion city, state and federal dollars on homelessness.

“Every single morning there are people who work for the City and County of San Francisco cleaning up where you wouldn’t even know it’s the same neighborhood,” Breed said. “And even before noon, we’re dealing with some of the same challenges of the litter and the feces and the urine and some of the other issues that many of us are frustrated over.”

Those frustrations, particularly over crime, may be making this famously liberal city a little less liberal. In a recall this month, voters threw out the district attorney whom critics called “soft” on crime. That followed the recall in February of left-leaning school board members who’d focused on renaming buildings rather than reopening them during the pandemic.

On the national stage, politics here are a juicy target for critics on the right. On Fox News, conservative commentator Jesse Watters described San Francisco as “a tech mecca surrounded by a filthy moat of degeneracy, lawlessness, criminals and drugs.”

It is rhetoric with a long legacy, that was amplified in 2007 when a San Francisco Democrat, Nancy Pelosi, became the first female Speaker of the House. Republicans talked disdainfully about “San Francisco values.” On “The Bill O’Reilly Show,” former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said, “I mean, Nancy Pelosi represents a San Francisco values ​​system.”

Blackstone asked Breed, “What are San Francisco values?”

“I think San Francisco values ​​really consist of pushing the envelope and willing to try things that may make people uncomfortable for the purpose of really turning people’s lives around,” she replied.

“But it seems to me the problem that San Francisco faces is that, for people on the right, it’s become shorthand for ‘liberal crazies.'”

“Yeah, and again, there’s nothing I can do about that, other than to make sure that we’re taking care of our city,” said Breed. “We’re cleaning it up, we’re keeping people safe, and we’re doing the things that make the people who live, work, and visit here happy.”

In December the mayor broke from the city’s often-lenient policies when she announced plans to get tough on crime: “And it comes to an end when we take the steps to be more aggressive with law enforcement, more aggressive with the changes in our policies , and less tolerant of all the bulls*** that has destroyed our city.”

San Francisco has been struggling with homelessness, and a rise in car break-ins and other property crimes.

CBS News

Blackstone asked, “I looked at the police dashboard. The retail theft, that’s up this year. Is your crackdown on crime working?”

“I don’t think it’s a fair assessment, to take statistics and then to equate them to a major headline around San Francisco being dangerous,” she said, “especially in light of when you look at our homicide rate, in particular, and when you look at the number of cases we’ve been able to solve, and the number of people that we’ve been able to hold accountable.”

FBI violent crime statistics confirm: at least 65 other cities have higher rates of murder, rape and assault than San Francisco. But highly-visible crimes, like car thefts and shoplifting, are up nearly 17% so far this year compared to last year.

Breed said, “I don’t think numbers mean anything when something happens to you. And so, ultimately, we’ve gotta do a better job with improving how people feel in the city.”

Among the improvements the mayor is proud of is a transformed corner in a tough neighborhood. “The corner of Hyde and Turk, this used to be a notorious area where there was a lot of drug-dealing and drug-using and all kind of things going on there. You go there today and there’s a park, a brand-new park there, and kids are now using the park.”

The Turk-Hyde Mini Park was created for preschoolers in the heart of the Tenderloin.

CBS News

Blackstone asked, “Let me ask you just to explain San Francisco to an outsider.”

“Ooh, that’s a hard one!” Breed laughed. “Complicated. Unique. Beautiful. Crazy. Wild. Fun. Innovative. Challenging. All of those things and more.”

Like any other American city, San Francisco has plenty of problems, but much like any other big city mayor, London Breed is her city’s biggest fan: “I love San Francisco, even though it’s a complex city with all of its challenges, its issues . But it’s a place of beauty. It’s a place of hope. It’s a place of opportunity.”

For more information:

Story produced by John Goodwin and Christine Weicher. Editor: Ben McCormick.

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Friends of the Urban Forest members plant trees along Linden Street in Hayes Valley in 2010.

Friends of the Urban Forest

San Francisco’s urban tree canopy is one of the smallest in the nation — and some fear it’s on the decline. While the reasons for this are myriad and complex, new plantings have struggled to keep pace with removals or mortality rates, reports show, leaving thousands of sidewalk basins barren and treeless.

Trees have also been inequitably distributed across The City, which is all too clear on hot, fogless days when neighborhoods like SoMa and Bayview are degrees warmer than areas with ample canopy cover.

It’s why The City has outlined a goal to plant 30,000 new street trees in the next 20 years as part of a plan to green up underserved communities and reduce The City’s greenhouse gas emissions by using trees to sequester carbon.

But for now, the goal remains just that. Public Works, the agency that manages The City’s street trees, estimates it needs to plant about 4,000 trees a year, including 1,500 new ones and 2,500 replacements, to keep pace. But with limited resources, the agency is struggling to meet these requirements.

“The reality is, we’re not going to meet that goal because of the funding,” said the department’s interim director, Carla Short. “I think we’re sort of trying to still use that as an aspirational goal and still do our best to push for it.”

During the pandemic, Public Works’ tree funding was de-appropriated, and its staff was reassigned to disaster response teams, causing its Bureau of Urban Forestry to cancel equipment orders, freeze hiring and cease maintenance contracts. However, even once that funding was reinstated, the department struggled to get projects back on schedule.

This budget cycle, Mayor London Breed declined to allocate General Fund money to the Department of the Environment, which it requested to fund its climate action plan that includes a chapter on healthy ecosystems. Some say The City’s investment in maintaining the urban forest has also missed the mark.

“We are treading water at best with the funding The City puts toward street tree planting,” said Brian Wiedenmeier, executive director of Friends of the Urban Forest, who expressed disappointment about Breed’s decision to withhold funding from the Department of Environment.

Drought’s great

To complicate matters further, the drought, made more extreme by a warming world, is taking a toll on the city’s trees — and not just those that push their knobby roots into the concrete.

“If you’re talking about street trees, to me, that’s just half the issue,” said Denise Louie, a native plant enthusiast who’s concerned about the fire risk posed by drought-stressed trees in The City’s open spaces, such as the tall stands of Eucalyptus in Glen Canyon near her home.

Warmer, threer conditions mean many more trees require constant watering, another service and investment Public Works and other organizations, like Friends of the Urban Forest, do not have. Short noted that watering alone makes up about three quarters of the cost of a street tree.

“The cost of planting a tree in San Francisco is a lot more expensive than places that have seasonal rains or more consistency in the rains than we do,” she said.

The entire tree population in San Francisco is under increasing pressure from the changing climate at a moment when it’s been enlisted as part of the solution. Because trees suck carbon from the atmosphere, San Francisco’s urban forest is seen as a critical piece of The City’s plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040, a goal outlined by the mayor last year.

“Carbon is one of the easiest benefits to see in a tree,” said David Nowak, an emeritus research forester with the US Forest Service. “You can directly see it occurring — as you see a tree grow, it’s sequestering carbon.”

But, he added, “It’s not just about the carbon. By having the forest there, you get multiple other benefits at no cost: You get cooler air temperatures, cleaner air and less flooding because the trees absorb the water … People like the vegetation, and it actually helps improve human health; it reduces noise and (boosts) wildlife.”

While Nowak asserts that both natives like Monterey Cyprus and non-native trees like Blue Gum Eucalyptus can provide such services, Louie argues that the native plants that have adapted to this region over thousands of years are best suited to boost the region’s biodiversity. “We need to appreciate what’s left of our natural heritage,” she said.

Native plant advocates

In general, proponents of native plants want The City to do more to help reestablish the native flora that was here before urbanization.

“San Francisco has taken some strong steps to expand the role of biodiversity in our urban tree selection, but we are still missing the mark,” said Susan Karasoff, a Yerba Buena Plant Society member. “To support our city’s local biodiversity, we need locally appropriate native plants, but fewer than 1% of our current trees are native.”

While Short concedes that most trees going into sidewalks are non-natives, she said she’s proud of the work being done to look for species better suited to hotter, three climates — climates that might become normal for San Francisco.

“I am a big fan of native species. However, they are often not the best choice for the built environment,” said Short, who has a background in conservation ecology. “A Coast Live Oak in a sidewalk is never going to be what it should be. It’s never going to provide the same level of benefits that it could” if planted in an open space.

But native or non-native, trees alone will not be a panacea for a warming world, Nowak said.

“To think that we’re going to plant enough trees in this world to offset all the emissions from the automobiles and fossil fuels we’re burning — I don’t think it’s going to happen. I don’t think it can happen mathematically,” Nowak said. “But I argue this: If I could only plant one tree in the world, I would plant it in an urban area.”

jwolfrom@sfexaminer.com, @jessicawolfrom

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OAKLAND (KPIX) — It was an emotional night for many students in the Oakland Unified School District Monday as they faced the possibility of losing their schools. Hundreds of community members showed up for the school board meeting to oppose the campus closures and consolidations proposed for the next two school years.

In 2006, Oakland embraced a small-school model to better serve impoverished neighborhoods. But there are those on the school board who think that was a financial mistake and they’re looking to change it. And they’re not wasting any time doing it.

READ MORE: ‘Make Sure You Aim’: San Francisco Police Reveal Final Moments Before Fatal SFO Shooting

The proposed closure list was released to the public on Sunday. Six schools — Brookfield, Carl Munck, Prescott, Grass Valley, Parker, Community Day School — are recommended for closure at the end of this academic year. Two other schools — Horace Mann Elementary and Korematsu Discovery Academy — would close after next year, with their students then being reassigned to other schools.

Additionally, three schools would merge onto other campuses after this school year with Manzanita Community School moving to join Fruitvale Elementary the following year. The community just found out about the possible closure last Friday and it has organized quickly to try to save this school.

The Manzanita Community School held a Monday night viewing party, as parents, teachers and students united to fight the possible school closure. On Zoom, roughly 1600 people raised their hand for a chance to speak during the board meeting.

“Teachers have really helped me to get my children to the right path of education,” said Manzanita parent Tania Chi.

“You’re looking for family involvement but your also looking for that personal touch, said Pablo Pitcher Deproto. “When you have a smaller school, you just have more of an ability to reach those students.”

OUSD says it has too many small schools which makes it difficult to upkeep facilities and drives down salaries for teachers.

“Part of the narrative is we can’t give the teachers raises unless we close schools is incredibly offensive to pit us and our salaries against our school communities,” says Carrie Anderson, a teacher at Manzanita Community School.

Chi thinks the closure would have a huge impact on the largely low-income families at the school.

“I think parents would have to get up and move,” she said. “They would have to make a lot of schedule re-arranging throughout their day, and we don’t have a lot of help throughout the day.”

Oakland Unified officials said they are seeking community engagement by holding the special meeting Monday night. However, that meeting comes just one day after the list was released.

“How are we going to engage?” said Regina Morones, a Manzanita staff employee since 2006 when the school was founded. “How are we going to say anything? How are we going to show up at the board meeting if it’s on Zoom? So, to me, it’s all a strategy to make sure there’s as little push back as possible.”

Board President Gary Yee said OUSD has too many small, under-enrolled schools and it’s a financial burden preventing the district from providing adequate service to the community. He said larger, more regional schools would save money that could be put toward higher teacher salaries and a more effective operation.

READ MORE: Native Americans Accuse Gilroy City Leaders Of Ignoring Objections To ‘Mission Bell’

Though the district is not currently in a financial crisis, Yee said there’s no use waiting for things to get worse.

When he was asked if it was reasonable to take a vote only eight days after the closure list was released to the public, Yee replied, “Ummm…I understand the anger and the worries and the concern. I believe the process is one that is comprehensive and sufficiently detailed for us to consider.”

As for holding the public meeting the day after the list was revealed, Yee added he didn’t expect that anyone’s minds would be changed anyway.

“It’s super hard for people to consider something other than what they’re familiar with,” he said.

District 5 Director Mike Hutchinson alerted the community about the 6 schools on the closure list.

“We have no financial crisis,” sats Hutchinson. “We have a mismanagement crisis.”

Hutchinson is outraged that some of his fellow school board members are trying to push through school closures, especially during a pandemic.

Hutchinson adds, “There’s been no engagement, no process, they gave a ten day timeline to close schools permanently. The biggest issue is we don’t have an emergency going on right now that says we have to make these decisions in the next few days.”

But what the community gets from Manzanita seems pretty important. The school keeps a storeroom stocked with food, clothing and school supplies for families that can’t afford them. But they also have everyday staples like toilet paper and toothbrushes.

Afterschool program director Angela Phung said that could change if they had to move to a regional school.

“They wouldn’t be able to get what they need for their families,” she said.

OUSD’s mission statement says it strives to be a “full-service community district.” Parents with children at the schools being impacted by the proposal are left wondering how far they will have to travel to access it.

Board members say they plan to vote on the proposal eight days later at another special meeting scheduled for February 8th.

MORE NEWS: Man Found Dead At El Cerrito Library

John Ramos and Andrea Nakano contributed to this report.

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SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) – My journey to understanding the homeless problem in San Francisco took me to Fisherman’s Wharf – where I found a young man sniffing the sidewalk with a stuffed animal under his arm.

His name is Cory Harris. He is 25 years old.

“I’m from San Diego, but the coronavirus and cleanup have just moved away.”

I asked him how long he’s been homeless. He pretty much tells me his whole life.

“Just a shame … moving from house to house, no real parents who could take care of it.”

At some point he was a foster child.

But now: “I sleep outside … I have a sheet.”

I asked if he was trying to get any services … any help.

A closer look at the homeless crisis in San Francisco

“I tried, but they didn’t really want to help me, they refused me.”

Cory says the last place he went for help was on Larkin Street Youth Services.

So I decided to go next and find out why it didn’t work out with Cory.

It turns out that it might be because he’s just a bit too old to qualify for her help.

They let me and my camera in one of their shelters on Ellis Street on the edge of the Tenderloin known as the Lark Inn.

This is reserved for young people between the ages of 18 and 24.

Those who qualify will receive welcome kits of toiletries and linens.

Once inside, colorful murals with uplifting messages greet you.

While a sunny landscape cheers this hallway, the actual bedrooms are a bit bleak.

There are cement floors, replacement furniture, plastic bins, and metal lockers for storing items.

Some beds are currently not sleeping because they are only half full due to the pandemic.

“My experience is that it’s a place where you can lay your head at night when you have nothing else.”

This firsthand perspective is from Dale Jones, a resident of the Lark Inn.

I met the 22-year-old, originally from Contra Costa County, while he was at the Youth Services Access Point on Larkin Street on Golden Gate Avenue.

Dale didn’t want to go into details about how he got homeless in San Francisco, but rather described what his life was like before he found a place at the shelter.

“Couch surfing, house-to-house bouncing in the year before I came here, I lived with seven different family members, a couple of different houses in a hotel, a couple of times on an Airbnb.”

Now he tells me that he is making optimal use of the resources available to him and that he reports to his clerk here once a week.

“I’m already on the waiting list for basically cheaper apartments that will help me pay, so just go through it.”

The access side vibe is more of a college student cafe than a bureaucrat’s waiting room.

Even 12-year-olds can stop by here and have warm meals.

You have access to laundry and showers, a wardrobe and toiletries.

Below are resources to get a GED, college financial aid, or job search help.

Dale is now enrolled in a job program hoping to work as a security guard and then enroll in college.

He likes knowing that he can visit this place every day.

“At least I know they let me work Monday through Friday. At the moment I have a set program, before which I was literally from house to house, from couch to couch, day after day. “

Larkin Street Youth Services says the work to end young people’s homelessness is rare, brief and one-time.

Sherilyn Adams is the executive director.

“We know that around 50% of people over the age of 18 who are homeless had their first experience between the ages of 18 and 25, right? So we know the faster we intervene to prevent chronic homelessness. The other bit is, the longer you are outside, the more damaging it is to your health and wellbeing. “

While at the access point, I met a familiar face.

“What’s the matter with you since I last saw you? Just to survive. “

Cory was there to shower and get something to eat.

However, the 25-year-old will probably find it more difficult to find a place to sleep than it was a year ago.

“We don’t have a great system in San Francisco for the 25-35 year olds in general. Because the age range of people who are homeless is 70, 75 … and we prioritize people based on how long they have been homeless.

“And it is sometimes very difficult for people who are newly homeless and live in this way from 25 to 35 years.”

Meanwhile, Cory continues to try to get the help he needs.

“I’ve looked around [for housing]… no luck yet. “

Larkin Street Youth Services would not confirm whether they would assist Cory in finding help, but said they are able to assist those who join the system before they are 25 and will continue to receive after they are 25 .

They say they have accommodated over 400 young people so far this year.

KRON4 will continue our efforts to investigate the situation on the streets, but we also need your help. If there’s anything you think we need to see or hear, email OnTheStreets@KRON4.com

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