Thousands without power after punishing wind storm hits Bay Area; snow starts pummeling Sierra
Dec. 24th, 2025 04:36 pm![[syndicated profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/feed.png){kind=small}
sjmerc_local_feedThousands of people awoke without power Wednesday morning after a powerful storm slammed into the Bay Area, toppling trees and further complicating holiday travel across the region.
The North Bay, Peninsula and the South Bay appeared to bear the brunt of the latest storm front, which packed wind gusts topping out at 108 mph in Marin County and left pockets of San Jose, Sunnyvale and Half Moon Bay without power. Elsewhere, tens of thousands of people in Campbell and Saratoga were without power, while swaths of the coastlines along Santa Cruz and Sonoma counties were in the dark, according to Pacific Gas & Electric’s outage maps.
To the east, Caltrans instituted chain controls along Interstate 80 over Donner Pass as the first of several feet of snow began to drop over the Sierra and its parched Lake Tahoe-area ski resorts.
Wind gusts and rain were expected to ease throughout the day Wednesday across the Bay Area, offering a slight reprieve ahead of another potent low front that was expected to hit the region on Wednesday night, when more power outages and wind damage were possible.
“It’s going to be, essentially, like a rinse, lather and repeat sort of thing — but maybe 5% less,” said Brian Garica, a National Weather Service meteorologist. “It’s going to be very similar to last night.”
The latest storm front dropped about a half-inch of rain Tuesday night into Wednesday morning over the low-lying areas of the East Bay, with an inch of rain recorded in parts of the Oakland Hills. San Francisco received about .4 inches of rain, while Fremont, Milpitas and San Jose received a quarter to a third of an inch of precipitation.
RELATED: Live rain map: Follow the Christmas week storms in the Bay Area
Wind gusts were particularly strong across the region, with the weather service recording a 108-mph howler at Pablo Point, about two miles north of Nicasio in Marin County. Another 95-mph gust hit along Pine Mountain Fire Road in Marin County, about two miles south of the hamlet of Woodacre.
Other top gusts included an 89-mph reading at Mines Tower in Alameda County, five miles east of Del Valle Regional Park; an 88-mph gust along North Peak Access Road in San Mateo County, two miles southeast of Pacific State Beach; and a 62-mph gust along South Black Diamond Way in Contra Costa County, two miles east of Clayton.
The largest power outage Wednesday morning affected about 16,500 customers in Campbell and Saratoga, while a nearby power outage left another 5,000 usersin the dark, according to Pacific Gas & Electric. No estimates were given for when power might be restored in those areas.
Holiday skiers not already in Lake Tahoe for the holiday week were unlikely to reach their destinations beginning Wednesday, as the season’s first major snowstorm started bearing down on the Sierra. Most of the Lake Tahoe region above 6,000 feet was forecast to receive 4 to 8 feet of snow from Wednesday morning through late Friday — providing much-need snowpack, but making for dangerous travel conditions, according to the National Weather Service.
“The travel window was through early this morning, and conditions are going to deteriorate,” said Courtney Carpenter, a warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service. “Check road conditions before you go, if you really must travel. I would prepare for lengthy delays and road closures. Pack an emergency kit, make sure you’re prepared. But we don’t recommended travel at his point.”
The storm front that crashed into the Bay Area early Wednesday morning marked the latest salvo in a week of turbulent weather, which began with a potent atmospheric river that drenched the area and broke a weeks-long run of abnormally-dry conditions.
Since then, Oakland and San Francisco have received slightly more than 3 inches of rain, while the Berkeley Hills have recorded between 4 and 6 inches of precipitation, according to the National Weather Service. To the south and west, the Santa Cruz Mountains have received between 2 and 4 inches of rain.
The highest totals appear to be centered in the North Bay, where up to 13 inches of rain has fallen on Mt. Tamalpais, the weather service reported. Between 3 and 5 inches of rain have fallen across the lower-lying areas of Marin County, including Mill Valley, Tiburon and Fairfax. Meanwhile, 4 to 6 inches of rain have fallen in and around Santa Rosa.
Precipitation totals have been more muted across the South Bay and parts of the Peninsula, with Redwood City, Palo Alto, San Jose and Santa Clara all receiving less than an inch of rain since this past weekend.
This is a developing report. Check back for updates.
Jakob Rodgers is a senior breaking news reporter. Call, text or send him an encrypted message via Signal at 510-390-2351, or email him at jrodgers@bayareanewsgroup.com.
Chatting about the joy of winter beers with Craig Thomas, Master Cicerone
Dec. 24th, 2025 04:30 pmsjmerc_local_feedIt’s winter, time to curl up by a crackling fire with a blanket and a hot cup of cocoa.
Or if you happen to be a beer lover, perhaps a glass of pitch-black, high-octane beer – peanut-butter stout, maybe, or oak-smoked doppelbock – that will warm you from the inside out.
The coldest months are peak season for winter beers, a slightly amorphous category defined by production date, alcohol content and spice flavors that can resemble a mincemeat pie.
Enjoyed hundreds of years ago in societies such as English and Norse, these tipples fell into a lag only to see a resurgence in the 1970s as “winter warmers” or “Christmas beers.” They became a hit in the U.S. after San Francisco’s Anchor Brewing released its Christmas ale in 1975, and today include the likes of Sierra Nevada’s Celebration IPA, Allagash Brewing’s Ski House and Deschutes Brewery’s Jubelale.
With a short window to shop for these liquid treats — whose flavor profiles can be intimidating, ranging from dark chocolate to gingerbread to peppermint candy – how should you decide what to sample? Here to help is Craig Thomas, who knows a little something about beer, given his role as a Master Cicerone.
Thomas is a former sensory-research analyst at Firestone Walker Brewing Co. who now works at Abstrax Hops, a company that develops flavor and aroma extracts for the beverage industry. He lives in Templeton, near Paso Robles. In 2023, Thomas made beery history by earning the title of Master Cicerone from the Cicerone Certification Program. It’s the fourth, and final, tier of the program; of the 150,000 people worldwide who’ve successfully ranked as a Cicerone, only 28 (including Thomas) have made it to this highest level.
What, exactly, is a Master Cicerone? Think of it as an exceptional beer sommelier who’s verified through written, oral and sensory testing. “It recognizes an exceptional understanding of brewing, beer and pairing — combining outstanding tasting abilities with an encyclopedic knowledge of commercial beers,” according to trade publication Craft Brewing Business.
Recently, Thomas took the time to talk about the Cicerone program and about the joy of winter beers, and to recommend a couple of his favorites.
Q: Is becoming a Master Cicerone as difficult as everyone says?
A: It’s the hardest test I’ve ever done, including any final I had during my (history) master’s degree. I don’t know if anyone’s passed the first time – maybe one or two? I passed the second time I took it.
Q: What’s it involve?
A: All of the beer canon is basically encompassed in the program. So you have to be very well-studied, not only in the production side and ingredients side, but also in serving and dispensing and the presentation of beer and food pairings. You have to pack a lot of information into your head, and you have to be able to talk about it in both the technical fashion but also very eloquently, in a consumer-facing way that appeals to your average beer connoisseur.
Q: Did you have to taste a lot of beer for the exam, you poor guy?
A: You have to memorize all the different styles of beer as defined by the certification program. There are over a hundred, and you have to know their specifications when it comes to their alcohol levels, color, bitterness. … And the tasting exams are all blind. The whole point is that you’re able to identify what’s in the glass without knowing what it is. There are also “off flavors,” which they spike into the beer for you to pick out.
Q: “Off flavors”?
A: Yes. There’s a specific compound in beer that’s widely considered to be very important from a quality measure. It’s called diacetyl. And when you smell it, it’s the exact smell of buttered popcorn. It’s a key component in a lot of Chardonnays. But in beer, 99% of the time, diacetyl is considered to be an unappealing flavor. … It’s a blessing and a curse if you train yourself to identity a compound like diacetyl, as you find it in a lot of different places and it will ruin a lot of beers for you.
Then there’s “infection,” which is not a specific compound but usually a bacterial infection in beer. It usually showcases as a sour vinegar-like note, and is usually because of poorly cleaned draft lines. … The crusade I’ve embarked upon since studying for Master Cicerone is that I believe there is a big problem in draft-beer dispense within the U.S. Draft-line cleaning is a very critical component of brewing, and of serving beer in its best light, and it’s underappreciated or frankly ignored among most establishments.
Q: To switch gears, what do you know about winter beer?
A: I would say it’s a very loose style, or not even a style. It’s just something that a lot of breweries do in their own fashion, and everybody’s taken their own interpretation of it. In the olden days, a lot of winter beers were conceptualized as stronger with more alcohol. They put you in that space, where you’re eating cake or gingerbread next to a fire and a Christmas tree. The higher alcohol and the spices in the beer – if you get some nice caramel or gingerbread characteristics — it all just fits into that atmosphere.
Q: What kind of spices are typically added?
A: Cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, orange peel, ginger — there’s no necessary rule to what you can put into a Christmas ale. The best I would say is peppermint. But there are a number of brewers who go in a different direction and say, “It’s not going to be spiced. We’re just going to make a unique IPA that we’re only serving around Christmas time.”
Q: What foods do winter beers pair well with?
A: Ham would be really good, especially if you’re putting any kind of cloves on it. But it’s always going to depend on what the actual winter warmer is, right? If it’s an IPA or one of those spiced beverages, any classic Christmas entree will fit with them. If you get a lighter style — something along the lines of Samuel Smith’s Winter Welcome — I would pair that with a roast turkey. Then for the darker ones out there, like Deschutes Brewery’s Jubelale which is maltier with some chocolate notes, that would work for prime rib, especially if you did a coffee crust.
Q: Would you like to throw out some winter recommendations?
A: Sierra Nevada’s Celebration IPA is just an exceptional beer from start to finish — it’s worth trying regardless of anything. Every brewer I know always enjoys tasting this year’s Celebration. St. Bernardus is a brewery out of Belgium, and they do a Christmas ale every year. It’s very high ABV, usually around 10%, and typically has a nice spice character. And Belgian beers often use dark-candy sugar, which lends a not-quite-molasses, but toasted-rich-caramel note that works in harmony with these beer styles. I think you can find it at Trader Joe’s.
The last one might be a bit harder to find, but look in specialty shops. It’s called Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier, and it’s from a brewery in Bamberg, Germany. They kiln their malts with beachwood, so they make unique but glorious smoked beer. Smoked beers are very polarizing for most people, but I adore them, particularly with a beer they only release around Christmas (Aecht Schlenkerla Oak Smoke). It’s a doppelbock with 8% ABV, and it’s like drinking candy bacon.
– Connect with Craig Thomas, and ask your own beer questions, at instagram.com/peopleaskme
Waymo to begin testing robotaxis in more Bay Area cities
Dec. 24th, 2025 04:22 pmsjmerc_local_feedDriverless vehicles no longer exist solely in spy movies and futuristic dreams. In fact, Solano County streets are one step closer to a future that features these self-driving “robotaxis.”
The autonomous driving technology company, Waymo — formerly the Google self-driving car project — recently received approval by the California Department of Motor Vehicles to begin testing in seven Solano County cities. Approved locations are:
- Vallejo
- Vacaville
- Fairfield
- Benicia
- Dixon
- Suisun City
- Rio Vista
The news comes as part of a major wave of approval to expand testing in Northern California areas, including several cities in the Sacramento region and Yolo County.
RELATED: Waymo robotaxis blink out and block traffic in SF blackout. What happens in the next emergency?
Though the DMV’s approval progresses the deployment of vehicles, the company still requires a permit from the California Public Utilities Commission before it can start officially offering paid public rides in these new areas. The thought of Waymo vehicles soon navigating Solano County roads, however, brought mixed emotions from residents.
Vallejo City Councilmember Helen-Marie “Cookie” Gordon, a longtime advocate for equal access to transportation, looks to the opportunity with optimism.
“To be completely transparent, I’m excited about any entrepreneurial opportunity that can help strengthen our local economy, especially when it supports long-term prosperity for the cities being represented,” said Gordon, who also serves on the SolTrans Board of Directors as an appointee, advocating for service to South Vallejo.
“This conversation is particularly relevant given that transportation, especially reliable evening and weekend transportation, continues to be a challenge in Vallejo,” said Gordon. She says expanding opportunities through “innovative mobility solutions, including options like Waymo testing,” she said, “could be highly beneficial for Vallejo.”
The California DMV site shows that 2021 and 2024 Jaguar I-Pace models or 2022 and 2025 Zeekr RT models of Waymo vehicles are approved to “conduct driverless testing and deployment operations” in the approved cities.
In testing, the company aims to observe real-world situations and gather data on factors such as weather conditions, regional driving habits, road types, and infrastructural differences. Each vehicle comes fully equipped with a “sensor suite,” which uses LiDAR — laser pulses used to measure object distance and provide 3D mapping — cameras, and radar.
With its 360-degree view, the vehicles aim to observe and test reactions to situational conditions — pedestrians crossing, unique weather conditions, road hazards, construction, and how to react in the case of police sirens, etc.
Although partnerships with SolTrans and the Solano Transportation Authority (STA) have helped to bring improvements to SolTrans after-hours and weekend service, says Gordon, “neither currently provides around-the-clock transportation.” As a result, “access remains a challenge for many residents.”
In the case that these operations are thoughtfully implemented, Gordon was optimistic that the inclusion of driverless vehicles could “improve access, support residents, and further stimulate local economic activity.” On the other end of the spectrum, residents like community advocate David Marsteller Jr. are a bit more leery about the integration.
“How durable are their systems?” he asked, wondering how the vehicles might “handle Vallejo’s legendary potholes.”
Compared to Lyft and Uber — which utilize a driver and therefore provide a job — Marsteller questioned whether Waymo’s driverless vehicles could potentially contribute to limiting opportunities for app-based drivers.
“With Solano County losing a refinery and Budweiser plant, people will probably be looking to do more gig jobs,” he said. “So my thoughts are, it could take business from Uber and Lyft drivers. Solano County will have a shortage of jobs.”
And with the city’s “legendary” potholes, he added, “Will the Vallejo public be at risk of Waymo cars losing control when these driverless cars are hitting potholes? Couldn’t that mess up the sensory system?”
There is currently no public timeline set yet for the Solano County launch.
Driver rescued after vehicle plunges 200 feet down North Bay embankment
Dec. 24th, 2025 04:08 pmsjmerc_local_feed
Lea el artículo en español aquí.
A driver was rescued early Tuesday after their vehicle crashed about 200 feet down an embankment in Santa Rosa’s Fountaingrove area, fire officials said.
Santa Rosa Fire Department crews were dispatched shortly after 2 a.m. to a report of a solo vehicle collision near Hansford Court, according to Paul Lowenthal, the department’s division chief and fire marshal.
Responding firefighters initially had difficulty locating the vehicle and had to circle back after the initial call to continue the search.
“(Firefighters) were unable to find any accident because A, they were unaware that the vehicle was off the side of the hill, and B, the foggy conditions, and so they were unable to locate anything after searching the area,” said Lowenthal.
After about 20 minutes, firefighters from the new Fire Station 5 in Fountaingrove were called back to the same general area where Lowenthal said they then “physically started going down the hill and located the vehicle about 200 feet off the roadway.”
Once the vehicle was located, firefighters requested additional resources, including a ladder truck, a battalion chief and assistance from Santa Rosa police. The driver was the sole occupant of the vehicle.
According to Sgt. Patricia Seffens, a spokesperson with the Santa Rosa Police Department, an officer arrived on scene at around 2:05 a.m.
Drugs and alcohol are not thought to be factors in the crash and police are not investigating the crash as a crime.
“The officer didn’t believe any kind of crime occurred and there did not appear to be impairment,” said Seffens. “Because no other vehicles were involved, it’s really just an insurance issue for the owner of the vehicle.”
Firefighters conducted a low-angle rope rescue, using ropes and a specialized basket to reach the vehicle and bring the patient up to the roadway, Lowenthal said. The patient was then transported by ambulance to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.
Further details about the driver’s condition were not available.
Intercepted package leads to Bay Area narcotics arrest
Dec. 24th, 2025 04:05 pmsjmerc_local_feedPolice arrested a 47-year-old woman on Tuesday after intercepting a package containing multiple illegal narcotics shipped from Peru to a Santa Rosa residence, authorities said.
Detectives with the Santa Rosa Police Department’s Narcotics Investigations Team received information from U.S. Customs and Border Protection about the package, which was disguised as everyday items such as tea and herbal powders, police said in a statement Tuesday.
After testing the contents, detectives determined the package contained about 7 ounces of ayahuasca powder, which contains the hallucinogen dimethyltryptamine, or DMT; more than 1 ounce of coca leaves, a source of cocaine; about 6.4 ounces of mescaline powder; and roughly 3.6 ounces of a green cocaine variant. All are illegal in the United States, police said.
Investigators obtained a search warrant for the home the package was addressed to and an arrest warrant for the resident, Tahryn Janet Anderson.
On Dec. 23, detectives served the warrant at Anderson’s apartment in the 1200 block of Yulupa Avenue. Anderson was home and was detained without incident, police said.
According to the news release, detectives found about 1.9 ounces of gamma-hydroxybutyrate, commonly known as GHB, along with drug paraphernalia and packaging materials during the search.
“Law enforcement agencies, including the DEA and postal inspectors, actively monitor packages using advanced tracking systems, drug-sniffing dogs, and data analytics, making it surprisingly easy to get caught,” the news release said. “Beyond legal repercussions, the risk of interception and investigation is high, and those involved can face both federal and state prosecution.”
Anderson’s teenage daughter was also at the apartment at the time of the search. Detectives learned Anderson allegedly allowed her daughter to regularly use marijuana, police said. The juvenile was released into the care of a relative.
Anderson was arrested and booked into the Sonoma County jail on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, possession of a controlled substance and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, police said.
Navigating pet loss during the holiday season
Dec. 24th, 2025 04:01 pmsjmerc_local_feedAbout six weeks ago, my husband and I had to say goodbye to our quirky and snuggly little toy poodle, Lily. When we adopted her as a senior dog, we knew her time with us was going to be relatively limited. Yet over the past four years, she became deeply ingrained in our little family, and discussing her daily antics was a popular conversation topic. She became an inseparable part of our lives, which made saying goodbye so very painful.
If you’ve ever had a pet, you already know that losing them is a unique kind of sorrow. And now that the holiday season is upon us, it’s difficult to feel very merry when you’re missing your best friend. (This is the time of year when we’d dress Lily up in ridiculous holiday outfits and hide special treats in her stocking.) The season, with all its nostalgia, can make the absence of a beloved animal feel sharper than ever.
According to pet memorial service Resting Rainbow, one way to create meaning during this season is to intentionally honor your pet’s memory. This could be something as simple as hanging an ornament with their name or photo, lighting a candle in their honor or setting up a small holiday display with their picture or favorite toy. These gestures can offer a heartfelt way to keep their presence alive in your life.
Some people also find comfort in visiting a place their pet loved, such as a favorite trail or park, and allowing themselves to feel the sadness and gratitude that come with those memories.
Set boundaries
The holidays come with expectations: gatherings, photos, parties and endless seasonal cheer. But when you’re grieving, it’s OK to rethink traditions that feel too daunting right now. You might choose to skip certain events or let loved ones know that you need a little extra quiet this year.
It’s also healthy to give yourself permission to feel whatever comes up. Grief isn’t linear. You might feel sad one moment, followed by a burst of joy when you remember something funny your pet did. Accepting all of it without judgment honors the strength of your bond.
Talking about your pet, sharing stories with someone who understands or journaling your feelings can also help ease overwhelming emotions. Writing about what your pet meant to you gives your grief a place to live.
Some people find that acts of kindness, like donating to a shelter or volunteering with animals in need, give grief a tangible outlet that feels meaningful. Helping others doesn’t erase your loss, but it can help honor your pet’s legacy with compassion and purpose.
Support for pet loss
For some people, pet loss can feel especially isolating because not everyone recognizes it as a “real” loss. That lack of understanding may make it harder to speak openly about your grief, for fear it will be minimized or misunderstood. But the bond we share with our animals is real, and the pain of losing them deserves care and acknowledgment.
You might also consider professional or peer support if you feel stuck in your grief. Several organizations and support groups exist specifically to help people navigate pet loss — sometimes just knowing you’re not alone can make the holidays feel less isolating. If you need extra help coping with your grief, Marin Humane’s Pet Loss Support offers free resources and compassionate guidance to help you through this difficult time. Go to marinhumane.org/get-help/pet-loss.
Carina DeVera is the digital marketing manager for Marin Humane, which contributes Tails of Marin and welcomes questions and comments. Visit marinhumane.org, find us on social media @marinhumane, or email lbloch@marinhumane.org.
Consumer tip: Watch out for this ‘package delivery’ scam
Dec. 24th, 2025 04:01 pmsjmerc_local_feedWith online shopping a daily habit for many, scammers are banking on you clicking without thinking. The “package delivery scam” is on the rise, targeting consumers via text, email and even fake door tags.
How it works
You receive a notification appearing to be from a major carrier (UPS, FedEx, USPS) claiming a package is delayed or “held up.” The message urges you to click a link to update delivery preferences or pay a small fee. Don’t do it. These links are designed to install malware or steal your personal and financial information.
Red flags to watch for
• Urgency: messages attempting to panic you into acting immediately.
• Unexpected requests: Carriers will not ask for sensitive personal or financial info just to complete a delivery.
• Suspicious links: Look for slight misspellings in the web address, like fed-ex.com instead of fedex.com.
• Ghost packages: If you didn’t order anything, the notification is almost certainly a scam.
How to protect yourself
• Go to the source: Never click the link in the text. Visit the carrier’s official website directly and enter the tracking number there.
• Check the number: If you find a “missed delivery” tag on your door, do not call the number printed on it. Call the company’s official customer service line.
• Verify policies: Remember that major carriers do not demand payment via unsolicited texts.
Three juveniles charged in Marin County homicide case
Dec. 24th, 2025 04:00 pmsjmerc_local_feedProsecutors have filed charges against three youths linked to a homicide in San Rafael.
One suspect was charged with murder and an enhancement for using a knife, according to the Marin County District Attorney’s Office. The others were charged with inflicting great bodily injury.
The stabbing happened Dec. 16 near the corner of Mill and Hoag streets in the Canal neighborhood. The victim was Jason James Lee, 44, of San Rafael. He died at a hospital, police said.
Police arrested the suspects last week in Petaluma, where they live. Authorities did not identify them because they are under age 18.
San Rafael police Lt. Scott Eberle said license plate reading devices helped investigators identify the suspects. Investigators have not determined a motive. Eberle said the suspects gave no information to officers.
The suspects are scheduled to have a court hearing on Jan. 5.
Well, I buried my brother Rick yesterday
Dec. 24th, 2025 09:29 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
thewayneThe weird thing was how tremendously relieved I was after it was over! My voice recovered almost immediately - I didn't lose it, it just dropped an octave or so - and my energy came back almost entirely. My back is still massively sore, but that's another matter entirely. I think perhaps that I began mourning him as soon as he entered ICU and that I didn't realize it.
This evening, after stopping at an old friend's open house/party on the way out of town, I heard to Tucson to spend the night. It's maybe a quarter of the way or so to Cloudcroft. And the hotel is past the downtown area, makes it much easier getting out of Tucson - not that it's that difficult, especially given the much lighter Christmas Day driving.
The funeral went well, with one massive surprise. I expect my cousin Ron - who is a preacher - to give a little talk. And instead I ended up giving an extemporaneous eulogy for 20 minutes which went very, very well. I kinda wish it was recorded. I received several compliments on it.
Maybe me delivering the eulogy is part of the relief.
So today I'm off to the U-Haul where I'm storing his truck and camper trailer, I have to move it, also a woman is coming by to inspect it, she's interested in buying it. Can't do the inspection until 30 days after he dies, at that point it can be re-titled. After that I have some errands, then back to where I'm staying to finish packing, get some more rest then head out.
Far too much fun.
I will leave you with this. We wanted a poem for the little handout pamphlet for the grave-side service, and Russet and I didn't like any of the canned ones that the funeral home had available. She started surfing on her phone for ones written by or about gold miners/mining and found an absolutely perfect one! We dropped the third verse and cut down on the fourth and ended up with this. It does a very good job of encapsulating a lot about my brother:
The Men That Don't Fit In
There's a race of men that don't fit in,
A race that can't stay still;
So they break the hearts of kith and kin,
And they roam the world at will.
They range the field and they rove the flood,
And they climb the mountain's crest;
Theirs is the curse of the gypsy blood,
And they don't know how to rest.
If they just went straight they might go far;
They are strong and brave and true;
But they're always tired of the things that are,
And they want the strange and new.
And each forgets that his youth has fled,
Forgets that his prime is past,
Till he stands one day, with a hope that's dead,
In the glare of the truth at last.
He's a rolling stone, and it's bred in the bone;
He's a man who won't fit in.
-Robert W. Service (condensed)
This evening, after stopping at an old friend's open house/party on the way out of town, I heard to Tucson to spend the night. It's maybe a quarter of the way or so to Cloudcroft. And the hotel is past the downtown area, makes it much easier getting out of Tucson - not that it's that difficult, especially given the much lighter Christmas Day driving.
The funeral went well, with one massive surprise. I expect my cousin Ron - who is a preacher - to give a little talk. And instead I ended up giving an extemporaneous eulogy for 20 minutes which went very, very well. I kinda wish it was recorded. I received several compliments on it.
Maybe me delivering the eulogy is part of the relief.
So today I'm off to the U-Haul where I'm storing his truck and camper trailer, I have to move it, also a woman is coming by to inspect it, she's interested in buying it. Can't do the inspection until 30 days after he dies, at that point it can be re-titled. After that I have some errands, then back to where I'm staying to finish packing, get some more rest then head out.
Far too much fun.
I will leave you with this. We wanted a poem for the little handout pamphlet for the grave-side service, and Russet and I didn't like any of the canned ones that the funeral home had available. She started surfing on her phone for ones written by or about gold miners/mining and found an absolutely perfect one! We dropped the third verse and cut down on the fourth and ended up with this. It does a very good job of encapsulating a lot about my brother:
The Men That Don't Fit In
There's a race of men that don't fit in,
A race that can't stay still;
So they break the hearts of kith and kin,
And they roam the world at will.
They range the field and they rove the flood,
And they climb the mountain's crest;
Theirs is the curse of the gypsy blood,
And they don't know how to rest.
If they just went straight they might go far;
They are strong and brave and true;
But they're always tired of the things that are,
And they want the strange and new.
And each forgets that his youth has fled,
Forgets that his prime is past,
Till he stands one day, with a hope that's dead,
In the glare of the truth at last.
He's a rolling stone, and it's bred in the bone;
He's a man who won't fit in.
-Robert W. Service (condensed)
The Google Pixel 10 Is $450 Right Now
Dec. 24th, 2025 03:30 pmtwocents_feedWe may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.
The Pixel 10 came out in August this year, and at a $799 starting price, it was worth considering. Fast forward a couple of months, and now you can get one for almost half off, at $449. Amazon is discounting the flagship Pixel 10 (128GB) to $549, and there’s a promo code (PIXEL10) that drops it down a further $100. At under $500, this might be the best Android smartphone deal of the year.
Usually I recommend the Pixel 9a as the best budget buy. The lowest it’s been was $349 for Cyber Monday, and it’s sitting at $399 right now. The Pixel 10 at $449 is a much better deal.
The Pixel 10 has the latest Tensor G5 chip with new on-device AI features like Magic Cue that the Pixel 9a won’t get. It also has 12GB RAM instead of 9a’s 8GB. The extra RAM goes a long way when it comes to on-device AI tasks and general longevity of the device. The Pixel 10 series is also the first one to get a telephoto lens on a non-Pro device. In its testing, PCMag found that the Pixel 10’s camera output was better compared to the Pixel 9 series, noting, “It preserves details, and colors are more accurate than what we saw on last year's Pixel 9."
The most interesting change, and one my Pixel 9a misses out on, is the new magnetic Qi2 charging mount, which supports all MagSafe accessories. I’m a big MagSafe user with my iPhone 16 Pro Max, so this would have come in handy. For some, this upgrade alone might be enough to consider the Pixel 10 instead of the 9a.
Overall, PCMag gave the Pixel 10 an "excellent" rating: “The compact Google Pixel 10 includes most of the Pixel Pro features for a more affordable price, making it an attractive phone for Android lovers who don't need the highest-end model.”
The gap between the Pixel 10 and the 10 Pro is now quite small. The only point against the Pixel 10 really was its price, and how good of a deal Pixel 9a is. Now, with this price drop, the Pixel 10 finally becomes the all-rounder, offering flagship specs and camera performance at a budget-friendly price. But if you really want that Pro level screen, camera, and features, you can get the Pixel 10 Pro for just $649, after the $100 promo code.
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10 Hacks Every Windows Power User Should Know
Dec. 24th, 2025 03:00 pmtwocents_feedFor many students and workers, Windows is just the default way to use a computer. It's where all your apps work as intended, where all your Microsoft Office documents sync easily, and where you play all your games. But if you peel back its layers, Windows can be a lot more than that. Power users can take advantage of hidden features, and utilities from Microsoft and third-parties to not only speed up their workflow, but to improve productivity and fix some of the most annoying quality-of-life issues that plague Windows PCs.
Control everything using the Command Palette
Credit: Khamosh Pathak
For decades, Mac users have boasted about Spotlight Search, while Windows never really offered a true alternative. Windows Search is fast, but it's never really come close to replicating all the things Spotlight can do, especially now with the latest macOS Tahoe update. Finally, after years of waiting, Microsoft has introduced its own keyboard launcher, called Command Palette.
It's not available by default, though. To find it, you'll have to install PowerToys, which is Microsoft's own set of handy utilities. Once PowerToys is running, find the Command Palette app from the sidebar, and enable it. Then, you can access it using the default keyboard shortcut, which is Windows + Alt + Space (you can customize this be whatever you like).
Once it's set up, you can use the Command Palette to launch apps, search for files, open folders, switch between apps, open bookmarked websites or folders, and search the web. In fact, you can even run Terminal commands from here, and you can use extensions to add features. Here's a detailed guide on the Command Palette to get you started.
Replace the File Explorer with something much better
Credit: Khamosh Pathak
The File Explorer in Windows 11 is a certified mess. It's slower than the Windows 10 version, and it's harder to find your way around it. If you're as frustrated by this as I am, try installing the Files app instead. It's an $8 app on the Microsoft Store, but can be downloaded for free from the developer's website.
The Files app is beautifully designed, with support for theme colors. The app has a simple interface with an easy to access sidebar, tabs, dual-pane mode, and a dark mode that actually looks good. There's also a column view from macOS and an ability to preview files without opening them.
Replace the Windows 11 taskbar and start menu
Credit: Start11
The Windows 11 update radically redesigned the taskbar and the Start menu. If you don't like the new updates, there is a way to go back. You can install the free ExplorerPatcher app to revert back to the Windows 10 Taskbar, with full-length app names, along with the older Start menu. If you only want to change the existing Start menu (I don't blame you), try the Start 11 app, which costs $9.99 for a single license and a year's worth of upgrades. Start11 is an incredibly customizable Start menu replacement where you can customize everything from the layout, spacing, icon color, size, and more. You can even go back to the Windows 10 style layout, but with the look of the Windows 11 icons.
Transform how Windows 11 looks with Seelen UI
Credit: Seelen
If you've swapped from Mac to Windows, and you miss the Mac's Dock and menu bar, you can get them on Windows using the free and open source Seelen UI app. It's an app that uses web technologies to add a menu bar and a floating Dock to your screen. It also hides the Windows Taskbar by default.
Seelen is completely customizable with community themes and plugins. You can choose where to keep the taskbar, and you can make it transparent if you want (something Windows 11 doesn't allow for). You can add community themes to completely transform how it looks and works. You can also add more features using plugins.
Make the dark mode functional again
Credit: Microsoft
The dark mode in Windows is woefully lacking, especially compared to macOS. As a power user, you might prefer to spend most of your time in dark mode, or you might want to automatically switch to dark mode as evening kicks in. By default, Windows doesn't offer any such features. You have to go deep into Settings to enable or disable the dark theme, and that's it.
Microsoft has a PowerToys utility called Light Switch that can solve some of those issues. With the Light Switch utility enabled, you can automatically trigger the dark theme at the time of sunset, or or a schedule that you like. Plus, it gives you a global shortcut to trigger the dark theme on the fly.
Embrace the new Snap layouts
Credit: Microsoft
Snap Layouts is a powerful hidden feature in Windows 11 that not many people use. You might be used to dragging the left edge on a window to dock it to the left half of the screen. Well, that's just part of the Snap Layouts feature. Next time you want to arrange the windows on your screen, drag the window to the top edge, and you'll see a new preview of all possible layout options. You can easily split your large monitor screen into three or four windows, without doing any heavy lifting. You can also access this feature by hovering over the Maximize button, or you can use the Windows + Z keyboard shortcut to bring up the Snap Layout menu.
Install and manage apps without a thousand clicks
Credit: Justin Pot
Installing apps on Windows can sometimes be its own special nightmare. You have to deal with installation wizards with dozens of steps, some of which haven't been updated since Windows XP days. Like Linux and macOS, Windows too has a hidden package manager called Winget, a repository of apps that can be downloaded with just a single command. Yes, you need to open the Terminal to do it, but it's really not that hard. Say you want to install Chrome: You'll enter this in the Terminal and in a couple of seconds, the Chrome browser will be installed and ready to go, without a single extra click.
winget install Google.Chrome
Don't like using the command line? Well there's a GUI app for you. With the UniGetUI app, you can search for all apps or packages in the Windows Package Manager list, and download them in one click. There's also a one-click option for updating all WinGet apps at once.
See your clipboard history
Credit: Khamosh Pathak
Windows has a built-in clipboard manager that you really should be using. Press Windows + V to bring up the Clipboard History (the first time you do this, you'll have to enable this feature). Now, every time you copy anything on Windows, it will be stored in this list. You can go back to the Clipboard Manager at any time to copy one or multiple items from this list. You can even pin something to the top of the list, or quickly clear all history. If you're looking for a bit more, try the Ditto app. It lets you customize how many snippets you store in your clipboard at a given time, and has a capable fast Search feature built-in.
Use Focus Sessions to better focus on your tasks
Credit: Khamosh Pathak
There's a Focus Session feature inside the Clock app that's basically a built-in Pomodoro timer, with distraction-free features. You can start a Focus timer for, let's say, 30 minutes, and during that time Windows will stop all unnecessary notifications and app alerts so you can focus on your task. After a longer session, you'll also be prompted to take a break.
Create your own custom shortcuts, for anything
Credit: Microsoft
Power users rely on keyboard shortcuts to not only speed things up but also to reduce mental overload. Once you have the muscle memory, using a keyboard shortcut to perform frequent tasks reduces a lot of friction (especially compared to hunting for buttons using a mouse). When you start using an app, spend some time trying to learn keyboard shortcuts for the most frequently used actions. For example, archiving mail, exporting documents, and so on.
But this gets more interesting once you start to remap your keys and keyboard shortcuts using the Keyboard Manager utility inside PowerToys. Here, click the Remap a Key button to get started. Now, you can map any unused key, like your Caps Lock key, or the Copilot key, to anything else (like a shortcut to bring up Command Palette, for example). Or you can remap the shortcut for Copy from Control + C, to Windows + C. Time to get creative!
HLH_Shortcuts '25 exchange is releasing
Dec. 24th, 2025 08:16 ambrightknightie![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
hlh_shortcuts, the annual Highlander fanfic exchange, has been releasing two stories a day since the winter solstice. With 8 stories revealed as I post this, 9 remain. So far, the shortest is >800 words and the longest <7K words. From the tags, 3 crossovers are upcoming. A trend this year may be appearances by Connor and his associates.(Releases will pause on December 25 to give readers a chance to catch up. Or to sample Yuletide, perhaps.)
Check out the AO3 collection.
Bay Area couple pleads guilty to illegally selling fish out of their home
Dec. 24th, 2025 04:10 pmsjmerc_local_feedA Rohnert Park husband and wife pleaded guilty to illegally selling fish out of their home after a state investigation uncovered what authorities said was an unlicensed fish retailing business in operation for more than 10 years.
Richard and Shalley Tran, of Rohnert Park, pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of illegally selling and exchanging fish for profit or personal gain, according to the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors alleged the husband-wife duo harvested and sold fish caught along the Northern and Central California coast from Santa Cruz all the way up to Eureka, dating as far back as 2014. They did not have licenses to operate as commercial anglers, and generally the law forbids selling or bartering fish otherwise.
Krysten Kellum, a spokesperson with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, said during the investigation officials discovered the Trans had sold 243 tuna and about 3,000 pounds of mackerel in less than a month. Investigators also issued a search warrant and found evidence of prior fishing activity that targeted crab, striped bass, halibut, shark, rockfish, lingcod, sea bass and clams.
Prosecutors say the operation violated several commercial fishing laws, including using a vessel that was not commercially registered, employing people who did not have commercial fishing licenses, failing to obtain a Fish Receiver’s License and bypassing fish “landing procedures,” in which the state tracks catches, enforces quotas and collects fees.
“When sport-caught fish are unlawfully commercialized, large volumes of data go unreported, directly undermining effective fishery management,” Kellum said. “This illegal overharvesting not only jeopardizes resource conservation but also negatively impacts lawful commercial fishing industries.”
As part of the Trans’ plea agreement, they forfeited $66,000 seized from their home, surrendered fishing gear and are barred from fishing activities for a year.
The pair will not serve jail time.
In a statement, District Attorney Carla Rodriguez said the case underscores the importance of enforcing fishing regulations which “not only helps to preserve our natural resources but also promotes fair business practices.”
Kellum said Fish and Wildlife credits a tip from the public with launching the investigation and encouraged residents to support suspected illicit wildlife and fishing violations through the agency’s confidential reporting system.
Contact Staff Writer Anna Armstrong at anna.armstrong@pressdemocrat.com. On X (Twitter) @annavarmstrongg.
San Mateo: Vespucci Ristorante Italiano to close
Dec. 24th, 2025 04:00 pmsjmerc_local_feedAfter 11 years in business, San Mateo’s Vespucci Ristorante Italiano is set to close Dec. 31.
Owners Manuela Fumasi and Francesco Zaccaro posted a letter on their restaurant window and via social media sharing the announcement.
“As you can imagine, this decision hasn’t been easy, but we know it is the right one for us at this time,” they said. “This has been a beautiful adventure, extremely hard at times, but definitely filled with laughter, friendships, and memories that we will carry in our hearts forever.”
The restaurant’s 20 hand-painted tables will be available for purchase starting Jan. 1. More information is available on the restaurant’s Instagram account.
Details: Open 5-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays and 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays at 147 E. Third Ave., San Mateo through Dec. 31; vespucciristorante.com
Man dies after being struck by freight train in Oakland
Dec. 24th, 2025 03:54 pmsjmerc_local_feedOAKLAND — A man was killed instantly Tuesday night when he was hit by a freight train in East Oakland, authorities said.
The coroner’s bureau was trying to confirm the man’s name Wednesday morning and contact his relatives.
The fatal collision happened about 9:45 p.m. Tuesday in the area of 66th Avenue and Coliseum Way.
The man was apparently walking on the tracks when he was hit by a Union Pacific freight train, causing massive injuries, authorities said.
There were no immediate reports of anyone on the train being injured.
The death is being investigated by the coroner’s bureau and Union Pacific police.
The man is the second person to be killed by a Union Pacific freight train in the same area in just over a month. On Nov. 19 a 79-year-old man reportedly sitting on the tracks in the area of 60th Avenue and San Leandro Street was struck and killed by a train.
Brazilian steakhouse Espetus opens in Concord with charcoal-fired churrasco
Dec. 24th, 2025 03:30 pmsjmerc_local_feedA new palace for fire-grilled Brazilian barbecue has opened in Concord.
Espetus enjoyed its first day on Dec. 22 at the Veranda, a mixed-use retail center with other restaurants like Dave & Buster’s and Golden Corral Buffet & Grill. Espetus is a homegrown operation whose first location opened in 2003 in San Francisco’s Hayes Valley, with another debuting in 2008 in San Mateo.
The specialty at Espetus – whose name means “skewers” in Portuguese – is churrasco, grilled meats (typically beef, but also chicken, sausage and the like) that are popular in Brazil and other South American countries. It’s dining and also a show, with processions of servers circling the tables with juicy cuts on display.
“In Espetus’ uniquely traditional atmosphere, a parade of meats is continuously offered and carved tableside by chefs, called ‘Gauchos’ in deference to churrasco’s cowboy beginnings on the open plains of Brazil in the 1700s,” the restaurant’s website notes. “Fourteen signature cuts of steak, pork, chicken, lamb and shrimp are grilled over 100 percent natural mesquite-charcoal open flame, giving Espetus the authentic Gaucho taste other Bay Area churrascarias are missing.”
The Concord location has yet to post a menu, but a dinner at Espetus’ other locations runs $75 and includes a dozen to 14 cuts of meat, grilled pineapple, appetizers, salads and side dishes. Children 5 and under eat for free, unless they’re in large parties, and kids ages 6-11 enjoy half-price meals.
A feature of churrascarias is often a fully loaded salad bar and buffet, and Espetus does include one, as well as a beverage menu of wine and Latin American cocktails. And of course there’s Brazil’s signature pao de queijo — that addictive cheese bread — which is served throughout the meal.
Details: Open noon-9 p.m. daily at 2025 Diamond Blvd., Suite F100, Concord; espetus.com
Wednesday has just put Angel Biscuit dough into the fridge
Dec. 24th, 2025 03:51 pmoursinWhat I read
Well, the Katherine Addison Cemeteries of Amalo re-read continued: I managed to access Lora Selezh and on to The Witness for the Dead, The Grief of Stones and The Tomb of Dragons (the latter was the one where I first began experiencing weird lagging effects on the ereader).
On the go
Seem to have several things currently on the go.
Still dipping in to Diary at the Centre of the Earth, which is becoming compelling, especially as so much of it is set not quite in my neighbourhood but very close and has allusions to things like busroutes familiar to me.
Started Ursula K Le Guin, The Lathe of Heaven (1971), which have been meaning to do since discovering the movie is online available and wishing to refresh my memory. Do have a copy but it is a) somewhere inaccessible and b) 1970s paperback probably in disintegrating condition so shelled out for (v reasonable) ebook. Not very far in yet - wow it's a bit generic c. 1970 nearish future dystopia! - do we need so much futtock-shroudery from Haber about his dream-machine? (feel that this may have been editor thinking this was Necessary Exposition?).
Also have started Dorothy Richardson, Pointed Roofs (Pilgrimage #1) (1915), for online reading group, which after various struggles have given in and am reading via Kindle app on tablet because stutter mode is NOT what one wants with Richardson's prose. Do have 1970sish Virago edition somewhere in the book maelstrom but disinclined to the turmoil of trying to locate.
Up next
That seems like enough to be going on with but I am in expectation of Christmas books.
The ‘Pluribus’ Finale’s Big Twist Is the Perfect Set-Up for Its Next Chapter
Dec. 24th, 2025 03:00 pmgizmodo2_feedCarol and Manousos finally meet in the season one finale of Apple TV’s sci-fi hit—and now, the agonizing wait for season two begins.