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What were those tiny winged insects in Kensington, North Berkeley after recent rains?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:45 GMT

DEAR JOAN: We had an unusual phenomenon this morning. As the sun warmed the ground after our rain, hundreds of small flying insects started to swarm.It appeared they were coming from the ground but I could not see where. We have decomposed granite in the courtyard where they appeared from but no sight of little holes. They are approximately ½-inch to 5/8-inch overall, two sets of glasslike wings — looks like a wingspread of about 1 inch.We had to run an errand to Berkeley, and they appeared throughout North Berkeley. Suddenly, after about two hours, they disappeared.— Shelley Dommer, KensingtonDEAR SHELLEY: What you experienced is common in the fall after a rain shower. The winged insects are subterranean termites. Termites are common throughout California, and we have both dry wood and those underground dwellers. One sign that you have a colony living below you are mud tunnels they create to reach wood above the ground.The termites are sexually mature; they leave the co...

TasteFood: Use farro in this made-from-scratch herby pilaf

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:45 GMT

If you have ever prepared rice pilaf, chances are you’ve made it from a boxed mix — the slim package filled with dried rice and a sachet of spices (with likely a sprinkling of other, less natural ingredients). In fact, a pilaf is easy to make from scratch with whole and healthy ingredients, and, more important, it will taste better. The method is simple and makes for an easy side or vegetarian dish.The principle behind a pilaf is to saute grains and then steam them in a flavorful broth, embellished with aromatics such as garlic, onion and dried spices. In this recipe, hearty farro is the grain. Farro is an ancient wheat grain (which means it’s not gluten-free) with a chewy texture and a nutty, earthy flavor. It’s protein- and nutrient-rich, packed with fiber, iron and magnesium. If you prefer another grain, bulgur or rice are good substitutes. (Note that the cooking times will vary.)You’ll find various forms of farro available in the shops. Whole farro ...

Wish You Were Here: On safari in Tanzania

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:45 GMT

Related ArticlesTravel | Wish You Were Here: Ireland’s Dingle Peninsula Travel | Wish You Were Here: Adventures in Budapest Travel | Wish You Were Here: Galapagos adventures Travel | Wish You Were Here: A Kenya safari Our intrepid readers have traveled far and wide in recent months, from the islands of the Galapagos to the shores of Easter Island and “Lord of the Rings” locations in New Zealand, sharing their stories and practical tips along the way.Now, a San Jose family is sharing their safari adventures.Wish You Were HereSan Jose residents Julianne, Alison and mom Anita Phagan recently visited the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. (Courtesy of the Phagan family) TANZANIA: San Jose residents Julianne, Alison and mom Anita Phagan recently traveled to Tanzania with their friends Steve and Karen Brandon of Livermore and Anne Ortiz of Milpitas. Their sightseeing stops included the Ngorongoro Crater and...

Travel Troubleshooter: Uber owes me $100. Can you help me get it back?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:45 GMT

DEAR TRAVEL TROUBLESHOOTER: I have an account with Uber. Earlier this year, I added my granddaughter to my account so that she could have easy travel from the University of Washington in Seattle to my house in Mercer Island, Washington.Christopher Elliott, the Travel Troubleshooter I added her successfully, but when she tried to access the account, Uber said that there was “not enough money” in the account for her to use the service. I was puzzled because Uber had my credit card on record. There was never a question of having money in the account, but I dutifully added $100. However, Uber still denied their service to my granddaughter.So I opened a Lyft account, which solved the problem. My granddaughter can now use that account for rides.Meanwhile, I wanted the $100 back from Uber. I have emailed and called the company repeatedly, but no joy. On the last call I made, a representative told me that the problem had to be handled by the accounts department and that the...

Amid eroding trust in elections, Democratic groups walk a delicate line as they seek East Bay registrar’s removal

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:45 GMT

At a moment when election denial has spread across the country, eroding trust in government institutions and the political process, embattled Alameda County registrar Tim Dupuis is a key figure in a no-win situation for public officials and activists seeking to build faith in elections.Over the past few years, Dupuis, who was hired in 2013 into a double role as the county’s election registrar and information technology director, has faced multiple problems in the election office and reams of criticism from voters and groups across the political spectrum.File photo of Alameda County registrar Tim Dupuis when he was named the new registrar of voters for Alameda County in 2013. (Courtesy of Alameda County) In 2020, Dupuis’ office was accused by the regional American Civil Liberties Union and other voting rights groups of failing to post election materials in multiple languages, as required by the state; inadequately training poll workers; and failing to install ballot ...

Mental health parity laws aren’t working. Santa Clara County wants to take action

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:45 GMT

Despite several federal and state laws passed in the last few decades to make sure health insurance companies are covering physical and mental health the same, many are still not getting the mental health treatment they need. Now, Santa Clara County wants to join the fight for mental health parity.As recent as 2020, state lawmakers tried to bolster California’s Mental Health Parity Act, which was first passed in 1999. The most recent iteration, led by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), expanded the types of medically necessary treatments and mental illnesses — including substance use issues — that health insurance companies would have to cover. The previous law only covered treatment for nine serious mental illnesses.Despite the bold promises though, patients are still slipping through the cracks, as noted by mental health advocates who in a May letter to the state’s Department of Managed Health Care questioned whether the agency was enforcing the new law.&...

Pleasanton plans to drill new groundwater wells to address contamination

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:45 GMT

PLEASANTON — Pleasanton is moving forward with a plan to build two new drinking-water wells to replace its wells found to be contaminated.The new wells would be drilled away from the ones contaminated with the potentially harmful per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — known as PFAS  — that caused the city to stop using the three wells it currently operates.The City Council this month approved moving forward with the project, which will take about four years to complete and cost an estimated $23 million to $43 million, according to city figures.However, city officials have not decided how to pay for the entire project. The City Council only committed $500,000 from the city’s water fund to cover planning and development costs.Council members are expected to learn more about the project’s cost and viability in the fall of 2024. In the meantime, city officials say a water rate study needs to be completed to determine the effects the project could have on the city’s rate...

Joe Thornton retires: Why perspective is required when evaluating Jumbo’s career

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:45 GMT

Looking back on Joe Thornton’s 24-year NHL career, time has given everyone some valuable perspective.In the middle of it, particularly when he was at the height of his powers with the San Jose Sharks, fans could marvel at his skill, the fluidity and verve with which he played along with his extraordinary creativity and competitiveness. He was an artist, with a nasty streak.One could argue that during the 2000s, Thornton was the best player in the NHL on a year-in and year-out basis, perhaps even after 2005 when Sidney Crosby first came into the league. Certainly, no one amassed more points (886) that decade than Joe.His election to the Hockey Hall of Fame – after he becomes eligible in three years – is a given.But the caveat with Thornton, at least in some people’s minds, was he never won a Stanley Cup. Year after year, the Boston Bruins, the Sharks, the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Florida Panthers all had terrific regular seasons only to fall short of winning 16 games once the pos...

Closure of Eastbound Dumbarton Bridge begins Monday

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:45 GMT

(KRON) – Caltrans has scheduled to close the Dumbarton Bridge (State Route 84) in the eastbound direction for five nights in October and November 2023 for repaving.The Dumbarton Bridge is to be completely closed in the eastbound direction between the hours of 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. for five nights, Oct. 30 through Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 through Nov. 3.  Assault suspect throws ‘suspicious devices’ towards pursuing officers, leads police on chase from SF to Martinez The westbound direction of the Dumbarton Bridge will remain open.DetoursMotorists headed to the East Bay from San Francisco and San Mateo can take the San Mateo Bridge (State Route 92) from the City of San Mateo to Hayward.Motorists headed to Milpitas or Fremont from the South Bay can take Calaveras Boulevard (State Route 237).The goal of the repaving is to enhance safety and give motorists a smoother ride on the Dumbarton Bridge.

SJ man indicted for allegedly filing false tax returns, failing to report foreign account

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:45 GMT

(BCN) -- A San Jose man has been indicted on alleged federal tax and financial crimes, U.S. Attorney Ismail Ramsey announced Friday. Chunsheng "Jay" Huang is charged with allegedly filing a false tax return and failing to report a foreign bank or financial account, prosecutors said. Huang was indicted in November 2022 but it was unsealed last week. Assault suspect throws ‘suspicious devices’ towards pursuing officers, leads police on chase from SF to Martinez According to the indictment, Huang, 67, of San Jose, is alleged to have been an employee of a company based in Milpitas, California, for over 15 years while also working for companies based in the People's Republic of China for at least six of those years. Huang is accused of using an account with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China in his sister-in-law's name to receive payments from two companies in China. The indictment alleges that Huang failed to report that income on his federal tax returns for 2016 through 2020....