Coronavirus, Endemic

COVID UPDATE – What it’s like now – are we in the endemic stage?

Is the virus endemic?

New York Times, August 3, 2022

Even though people across the world are trying to move on from Covid, it’s still here, all around us.

Case in point: Half of all infections during the pandemic have taken place this year, as noted by my Times Opinion colleague David Wallace-Wells. Given the current pace, it’s possible that more than 80 percent of all Covid cases will ultimately take place in 2022, he said.

David writes a newsletter for Times subscribers that explores science, climate change, technology and the pandemic. He recently wrote about what endemic Covid would be like. (It’s not good.) I caught up with him to learn more. Continue reading COVID UPDATE – What it’s like now – are we in the endemic stage? →

Poetry in Benicia

Benicia poets appear in “Yearning To Breathe Free – A Community Journal of 2020”

Benicia Herald’s “Going the Distance” columns published in book form, now available

Yearning To Breathe Free—A Community Journal of 2020, published by Benicia Literary Arts, available at Bookshop Benicia and on the BLA website.  The first of three readings and community conversations will be held on August 28 3-5 p.m at the Benicia Public Library (via Zoom). Everyone is invited – more info at https://www.benicialibrary.org/poet/events.

BENICIA > Yearning To Breathe Free is the collection of “Going the Distance” columns that ran in the Benicia Herald from April 1 through Election Day 2020.

Published by Benicia Literary Arts, the book is now available from the BLA website, http://www.benicialiteraryarts.org/ store/product/17 and at Bookshop Benicia, https://bookshopbenicia.indielite.org/book/9781735499925.

On March 23, 2020, as lives and livelihoods began shutting down due to the COVID pandemic, Mary Susan Gast emailed Galen Kusic, editor of the Benicia Herald, “As the fears grow around the coronavirus and tensions increase about ‘shelter in place,’ I’ve been imagining a column to appear in each edition of the Herald that would voice and speak to the fears, tensions, inspirations, hopes, and oddities we are experiencing.” Kusic responded with encouragement. Continue reading Benicia poets appear in “Yearning To Breathe Free – A Community Journal of 2020” →

Benicia City Council, Kari Birdseye, Terry Scott

Susan Street: Kari Birdseye & Terry Scott for Benicia City Council

A fresh path forward for our town – huge supporters of the arts

By Susan Street, August 4, 2022

Susan Street, Benicia

At last, we have two great choices in candidates for the Benicia City Council. We could not be luckier to have Terry Scott and Kari Birdseye running.

Both of these professionals bring the kinds of backgrounds we need to set a fresh path forward for our town. Both have been involved in various local boards and commissions and have worked hard to make Benicia the city it can be. Both Kari Birdseye and Terry Scott are huge supporters of the arts, which is part of why Benicia is such a great destination town. Kari and Terry listen and care what you have to say about Benicia.

I am proud to endorse these fine candidates for the Benicia City Council.

Susan Street
Benicia

More letters, news & links about Kari here on the BenIndy

And best of all – Kari’s website!

Kari Birdseye For Benicia City Council 2022
https://karibirdseyeforbenicia.com
Benicia elections, Valero PAC

Valero PAC reports $226,000 on hand to influence Benicia’s November elections

Valero Political Action Committee files financial statement with City of Benicia on Aug 1, 2022


By Roger Straw, August 2, 2022

BENICIA > Jan 1 to June 30 this year, Valero’s PAC received $0 and spent $7,064, all expenditures for legal and accounting services with Nielsen Merksamer et al.

Their report at this time in our 2020 elections was the same.  We won’t get any more information as to the PAC’s intentions until the next report is released, after due date of August 29.

Details follow:

Source: ……..City of Benicia website, 2022 Campaign Finance Reports
Document: ..Working_Families_…_PAC_Form_460_Semi_Annual_2.pdf

Full Committee Name: Working Families for a Strong Benicia, a Coalition of Labor and Industrial Services Companies, Committee Major Funding by Top Contributors Valero and International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers Local 549 PAC

Total Contributions:

This period: $0
Year Total to Date: $0

Total Expenditures:

This period: $7,064.31
Year Total to Date: $7,064.31
Detail: 8 payments to Nielsen Merksamer Parrinello Gross & Leoni, all for Professional Services (legal, accounting)

Current Cash Statement:

Beginning Cash Balance: $232,386.88
Cash Receipts: $0
Cash Payments: $6,165.06
ENDING CASH BALANCE: $226,221.82

Outstanding Debts: $899.25

Detail: 1 expense accrued but unpaid to Nielsen Merksamer etc. for Professional Services (legal, accounting)

For safe and healthy communities…