Category: Bay Area

Globetrotting? Our readers have positively sprinted around the world these last few months. They’ve hiked England’s Lake District, experienced a kava ceremony in Fiji, made paella in Barcelona and so much more. Now they’re sharing their adventures and offering travel tips in case you, too, would like to go explore. Here’s a recent trip a dozen Clayton friends took to Croatia. Check it out, then find more reader travel inspiration at www.mercurynews.com/tag/wish-you-were-here/. Wish You Were Here THE BALKANS: A dozen or so friends from Clayton Valley Village formed their own “Happy Trails” travel club, an endeavor so popular, says village volunteer Fiona Hughes, the group promptly jetted off to the Balkans for an 18-day guided tour with Overseas Adventure Travel. The group — which includes Pete Bardea, Jim Whitfield, James Ward, Margaret Bachman, Katie Norlin, Jan Fox, Kate Howley, Rosemary Renwick, Marilyn Wollenweber, Bev Adams and Mariana Behdjet — began the trip in Dubrovnik, then traveled by bus to Montenegro and on through Bosnia and Slovenia. Adventures along the way included “learning how to make cheese and cook our meals outdoors in a farmstead stay in rural

By Bay City News The Marin County Board of Supervisors will vote March 11 on whether to declare a three-year “shelter crisis,” county officials announced. Officials explained that a shelter crisis would allow for expanded emergency shelter options, including temporary cabins and recreational vehicles. If approved, the designation would ease zoning and permitting restrictions for shelters on county-owned property, allowing for faster deployment of temporary housing solutions, officials said. No funding is attached to the proposal, which applies only to unincorporated areas. For this plan to work, the Board must update building codes for emergency shelters under California law, officials said. Currently, county rules require permanent foundations, making it harder to set up and remove temporary housing. “This shelter crisis designation provides us with one more tool to help those living on the street or in a vehicle,” said Gary Naja-Riese, director of the County’s Homelessness and Coordinated Care division.

When students at Homestead High School launched Project Preserve through their school’s Future Business Leaders of America club last August, they never expected to be in conversations with state representatives or to help pass federal legislation. Led by Arhan Chakravarthy and Samik Thakur, Project Preserve was created to address the impact of dementia in their community and drive meaningful change. The initiative began with a simple observation: Despite affecting millions of Americans, dementia often remains in the shadows. Through interviews with over 80 families affected by Alzheimer’s Disease, the students uncovered a shared need for better support systems, increased research funding and stronger community awareness. Working alongside the Alzheimer’s Association, Project Preserve transformed these stories into advocacy for the NAPA Reauthorization Act (HR 619) and the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act (HR 620). Their efforts contributed to the successful passage of both acts, securing continued federal funding for Alzheimer’s research and care programs. “We wanted to make a real, lasting impact, not only increase awareness,” Chakravarthy says. “Advocating for these congressional acts ensured that dementia research and care would continue to receive the attention and

The Sunnyvale Library is hosting Silicon Valley Reads events this month for visual artists, teen poets and kids who are into robotics. Wendy Xu, author of the graphic novel “Infinity Particle,” will lead teens and adults in a comic workshop on March 17. “Infinity Particle” is a teen selection for this year’s Silicon Valley Reads. In the workshop, set for 5-6:30 p.m., Xu will discuss the different parts of a comic and lead attendees in designing their own four-panel comic. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3QGgAES. Teens are also invited to “Poetry in the Age of AI” on March 19, 4-5 p.m., with Burlingame-Hillsborough Youth Poet Laureate Sierra Elman to discuss, explore and experiment with how AI affects poetry and its future. Participants will also have an opportunity to write poetry and share their work. No experience with poetry or AI is needed, but participants should bring their own laptops. This program is for students in grades 6-12. Registration is recommended to https://bit.ly/4kr1Nvg, but walk-ins are welcome if space is available. Younger children can “Build a Robot Hand” on March 20, 4-5 p.m., in the library’s

Feb. 27 JUVENILE DISTURBANCE: 4:41 p.m. at Vasona Lake County Park on Garden Hill Drive. A juvenile on a skateboard reportedly attempted to start a fire in the children’s playground. JUVENILE DISTURBANCE: 6:28 p.m. at Great Gas on Los Gatos Boulevard. A caller reported that they saw two teenagers shooting plastic guns. They were unsure whether they were water guns. Feb. 26 TRAFFIC HAZARD: 5:44 p.m. at Blossom Hill Road and Cherry Blossom Lane. Three juveniles on e-bikes were doing wheelies and riding in the middle of the lane. EMBEZZLMENT: 3:54 p.m. at O’Reilly Auto Parts on Los Gatos Boulevard. An employee at the store admitted to processing fraudulent returns and keeping the money. The store lost approximately $1,000. TRESPASS: 10:47 a.m. on Los Gatos Boulevard. A caller reported that someone was laying down in front of a business, and they wanted him to move along. Feb. 24 NOISE DISTURBANCE: 12:25 a.m. at Forbes Mill on Church Street. Multiple juveniles were playing loud music and yelling profanities. PETTY THEFT: 7:09 a.m. on Los Gatos-Saratoga Road. A caller reported that he met up with his ex-girlfriend

CIF NorCal soccer championships: Mountain View boys win first NorCal title. Sacred Heart Prep girls beat Fresno Christian. Piedmont boys win. Plus more from around the Bay Area. Mountain View celebrates after Mountain View’s Cyrus Shafie (7) scores the game winning goal against Clayton Valley Charter in overtime during the NorCal Division I semifinal at Mountain View High School in Mountain View, Calif., on Thursday, March 6, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) CIF NorCal soccer championships: Mountain View boys win first NorCal title. Sacred Heart Prep girls beat Fresno Christian. Piedmont boys win. Plus more from around the Bay Area.

SAN MATEO — A 19-year-old male Walgreens theft suspect who fled from authorities, injured an officer then hid under an overpass for over an hour and refused to move, was arrested Friday after officers used a pepper spray launcher to draw him out. The San Mateo resident was booked into the county jail and is being charged for resisting police officers and shoplifting, according to a Saturday press release from the San Mateo Police Department. The incident began around 1:19 p.m. on the 100 block of South Ellsworth Avenue, when a Walgreens employee called the officers about a suspect who had just stolen alcohol from the store. Officers were already in the area and quickly found the suspect, who was riding a bicycle. As officers told the suspect to stop, he continued to ride his bike eastbound toward Highway 101. An officer then attempted to stop the 19-year-old, but he failed to stop and injured the officer, according to the release. The suspect then got off his bicycle and ran under the 3rd Avenue overpass that crosses over Highway 101 and into a creek, where

Dear Eric: I have a 1-year-old grandchild and am frustrated that I don’t have the freedom to give them whatever I choose. The parents have prepared a precisely curated wish list of acceptable items and fully expect that I only give exact items from the list. I am not to stray from the brand, feature and even color of the item. I have been rebuked twice by my son for giving a variation of something on the list and criticized for not acknowledging that they know what’s best for their child. They say I should not take it personally. I feel that the joy of shopping for and presenting gifts to my grandchild has been completely usurped. At a recent occasion, they most valued a book that was not on the list, which they received from a family member. How do we resolve this issue? – Joyless Grandparent Dear Grandparent: Follow the list. They’ve asked twice (actually three times, considering the original list was an ask). Sure, they’re being neurotic and controlling about this. It sounds like they have a condition called Being New Parents.

TODAY’S WORD — VERACITY (VERACITY: vuh-RASS-ih-tee: Conformity with truth or fact.) Average mark 39 words Time limit 60 minutes Can you find 48 or more words in VERACITY? TODAY’S WORD — VERACITY: variety vary verity very vicar vice vier vita evict race racy rate rave react rice rite rive rivet acre active aery airy arty aver avert care caret cart carve cater cave cavity cite city civet crate crave irate tare tear teary tier tire trace tray trice yare year To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last! RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed. Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at kzsaxe@gmail.com.

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Bow Wow, 38; Brittany Snow, 39; Matthew Gray Gubler, 45; Juliette Binoche, 61. Happy Birthday: Socialize and network more this year; the payoff will be substantial. What you learn and who you connect with will encourage you to participate in activities and practices that are foreign to you but offer hope for a brighter future — if you adjust based on your needs and not what someone else wants you to do. Don’t sell yourself short; follow your heart and intuition, and do what’s best for you. Your numbers are 6, 18, 23, 29, 33, 41, 48. ARIES (March 21-April 19): Affairs of the heart will waver, causing you to question your personal and professional connections and relationships. Retreat and give yourself a chance to carefully evaluate each situation you face. Acting in haste will lead to poor decisions. Get your facts straight, and you’ll find better alternatives. 2 stars TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Spend more time at home. Being introspective will offer insight into what you need and want in your life to feel content. Don’t rely on others

ArDarius Grayson’s halfcourt heave rims out as SRV secures 77-74 win at home San Ramon Valley’s Elliot Conley (3) reacts after making the game winning 3-point basket past Oakland Tech’s Xan Meyer-Plettner (42) in overtime during their CIF NorCal Division boys basketball semifinals game at San Ramon Valley High School in Danville, Calif., on Saturday, March 8, 2025. San Ramon Valley defeated Oakland Tech in overtime 77-74. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) ArDarius Grayson’s halfcourt heave rims out as SRV secures 77-74 win at home to advance to its second consecutive NorCal Division I final Originally Published: March 9, 2025 at 1:31 AM PST

DEAR ABBY: We lost our 16-year-old daughter two years ago to leukemia. It’s been a difficult two years. I am writing to ask if there are rules of etiquette for visiting a loved one at the cemetery? We go regularly. I decorate the area in front of her stone with holiday or seasonally appropriate decorations. Other family members and friends visit as well, and most leave little trinkets or fresh flowers that I pick up and throw away when they wither, or bring home and put in our daughter’s room. My problem is, one family member opens cards that have been left there for my daughter, and puts all sorts of cheap decorations around her grave. Recently, they put decorations directly on her gravestone which left large stains. We are now left searching for a professional to remove the damage, or her stone will need to be replaced. I’m beside myself. This is where I go to talk to my daughter to feel closer to her. It took a year for her stone to be set. I took my time choosing just the right etchings

Today is Sunday, March 9, the 68th day of 2025. There are 297 days left in the year. Daylight saving time returns at 2 a.m. local time. Today in history: On March 9, 1945, during World War II, over 300 U.S. B-29 bombers began Operation Meetinghouse, a massive firebombing raid on Tokyo. The raid killed an estimated 100,000 civilians, left 1 million homeless and destroyed 16 square miles (41 square kilometers) of the city. Also on this date: In 1796, the future emperor of the French, Napoleon Bonaparte, married Josephine de Beauharnais. In 1841, the U.S. Supreme Court, in United States v. The Amistad, ruled 7-1 in favor of a group of illegally enslaved Africans who were captured off the U.S. coast after seizing control of a Spanish schooner, La Amistad. The justices ruled that the Africans should be set free. In 1862, during the U.S. Civil War, the ironclad warships USS Monitor and CSS Virginia (formerly USS Merrimac) clashed for five hours to a draw at Hampton Roads, Virginia. In 1916, more than 400 Mexican raiders led by Pancho Villa attacked Columbus, New Mexico

SAN JOSE – The San Jose Earthquakes were attempting to win their first three MLS games for the first time in their 28 seasons in the league. Instead, they were unable to solve Minnesota’s defense and lost 1-0 Saturday night at PayPal Park. The new-look Quakes dominated possession, controlling the ball for 68.4 percent of the game, having a 598-250 edge in passes and a 22-3 advantage in crosses. But San Jose took until the 68th minute to get its first shot on goal – an attempt from well outside the box by midfielder Ian Harkes – against Minnesota’s 5-3-2 formation, which has allowed just one goal this season. SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 08: Cristian Espinoza #10 of San Jose Earthquakes battles for the ball in front of Robin Lod #17 of Minnesota United in the second half against Minnesota United at PayPal Park on March 8, 2025 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Brandon Vallance/Getty Images)  “I think we tried everything to break down the line of five that they put in the back,” Quakes captain Cristian Espinoza said. “I think it’s very difficult

Late run, highlight by Alec Blair’s clutch 3-pointer, turns back Folsom in regional semifinal clash De La Salle players and fans celebrate after the Spartans defeated Folsom 47-38 in a NorCal Open Division semifinal boys basketball game on Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Concord. (Darren Sabedra/Bay Area News Group) Late run by De La Salle, highlight by Alec Blair’s clutch 3-pointer, turns back Folsom in regional semifinal clash. Originally Published: March 8, 2025 at 11:15 PM PST

The Lancers faced Archbishop Mitty for the fourth time this season and earned their third and biggest win on a last-minute strike by Miliani Makasini St. Francis’ Miliani Makasini (17) celebrates scoring a goal against Archbishop Mitty in the second half during the CIF NorCal Division I girls soccer championship at St. Francis High School in Mountain View, Calif., on Saturday, March 8, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) The Lancers faced Archbishop Mitty for the fourth time this season, and they their third and biggest win over the Monarchs on a last-minute strike by Miliani Makasini to claim the CIF NorCal Division I title

NorCal basketball regionals Boys Open Division Saturday’s semifinals No. 1 Archbishop Riordan 64, No. 4 Salesian 57 No. 2 De La Salle 47, No. 3 Folsom 38 Division I Saturday’s semifinals No. 5 San Ramon Valley 77, No. 8 Oakland Tech 74 No. 3 Lincoln-Stockton 61, No. 10 St. Ignatius 37 Division II Saturday’s semifinals No. 5 Destiny Christian 55, No. 8 Clayton Valley 42 No. 3 Jesuit-Carmichael 63, No. 7 Clovis East 60 Division III Saturday’s semifinals No. 1 The King’s Academy 75, No. 5 Carlmont 69 No. 6 Palo Alto 63, No. 2 Christian Brothers-Sacramento 52 Division IV Saturday’s semifinals No. 1 Priory 69, No. 5 Berkeley 48 No. 3 Santa Cruz 55, No. 15 Lincoln-San Francisco 52 Division V Saturday’s semifinals No. 4 Fortune Early College 65, No. 1 University Prep-Redding 61 No. 7 International-San Francisco 50, No. 6 Alhambra 49 Division VI Saturday’s semifinals No. 1 Redding Christian 57, No. 5 St. Vincent de Paul 38 No. 3 St. Bernard’s-Eureka 70, No. 2 Stone Ridge Christian 60 Girls Open Division Saturday’s semifinals No. 1 Archbishop Mitty 71, No. 5 McClatchy 48

CIF NorCal soccer regionals Boys Division I Saturday’s final No. 4 Everett Alvarez 2, No. 6 De La Salle 1 Division II Saturday’s final No. 2 Mountain View 2, No. 5 Cardinal Newman 1 Division III Saturday’s final No. 1 Archie Williams 5, No. 2 Hillsdale 1 Division IV Saturday’s final No. 3 Roseland University Prep vs. No. 1 Gonzales at Rabobank Stadium in Salinas, late Division V Saturday’s final No. 5 Piedmont 4, No. 7 Williams 1 Girls Division I Saturday’s final No. 2 St. Francis 1, No. 5 Archbishop Mitty 0 Division II Saturday’s final No. 1 Granite Bay 1, No. 6 Marin Academy 0 Division III Saturday’s final No. 4 Maria Carrillo 1, No. 2 Chico 0 Division IV Saturday’s final No. 3 Sacred Heart Prep 3, No. 1 Fresno Christian 2 Division V Saturday’s final No. 1 Lowell-San Francisco 1, No. 2 Ripon Christian 0

Two women who were arrested in late February for their alleged roles in abusing a small dog have now been charged with animal cruelty, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office announced on Friday. The two women — 46-year-old Lagashia Shante Williams and 18-year-old Graciela Amar — are also being charged with drawing or exhibiting a firearm in a threatening manner. Williams is also being charged with filing a false report. If convicted, Williams and Amar could be sentenced to a maximum of three years in county jail and up to a $20,000 fine. The charges follow an investigation by Pittsburg police into an incident on Feb. 19, when Williams and Amar reportedly confronted a man in the driveway of his home about an incident involving an elderly neighbor having accidentally run over a plant. “During their conversation, which escalated into an argument, Amar walked toward a vehicle, retrieved what turned out to be an imitation firearm, and handed it to Williams,” according to a news release from the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office. “As the argument between the three individuals continued, Williams brandished the imitation

Women have taken to the streets of cities across Europe, Africa, South America and elsewhere to mark International Women’s Day with demands for ending inequality and gender-based violence. See related story here. Women dressed in traditional costumes dance during an event organized by NGOs and women’s action groups to commemorate International Women’s Day in Syria’s northeastern city of Qamishli on March 8, 2025. (Photo by DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images)  A protester holds a placard reading “Even my dog understands when I say no” during a march marking International Women’s Day , in Toulouse, southwestern France, on March 8, 2025. (Photo by ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images)  Demonstrators gather during a march on International Women’s Day in New York on March 8, 2025. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)  A woman burns a flare during an International Women’s Day march in Quito, Ecuador, Saturday, March 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)  People gather during an event organized by NGOs and women’s action groups to commemorate International Women’s Day in Syria’s northeastern city of Qamishli on March 8, 2025. (Photo by DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images) 

San Jose Camera & Video, a Campbell business with nearly a 100-year history of serving the South Bay community, was broken into and looted early one recent morning — and it wasn’t the first time thieves had targeted the shop.. Thieves reportedly rammed a vehicle into the front of the store, on South Winchester Boulevard, and then stole merchandise early in the morning on March 5. “We have been serving San Jose, and the South Bay for almost 100 years and would love to for another 100,” according to a post on the business’s Facebook page. “The damages were pretty extensive and while insurance does help cover some of the cost to repair things, it won’t completely cover operational fees, lost wages, replacements and repairs etc.” The store reportedly sustained damages to the front entrance — including the gates, doors and windows — as well as to the fixtures and cabinets. Also, both new and used camera gear was taken. The business is now turning to the community for help in getting through this difficult situation and has started a GoFundMe page https://www.gofundme.com/f/san-jose-camera-rebuild-after-robbery. “So, we