Apenas nos reponemos del Día de Acción de Gracias y nos preparamos ya para la cada vez más cercana Navidad. Luces, árboles, esferas y mucho ambiente decembrino ya se dejan ver en las calles, centros comerciales y millones de hogares, sin embargo y antes de continuar con la decoración y las compras, estas son las noticias locales del 19 al 25 de noviembre que debes conocer para estar al día.
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As the peninsula faces a severe housing shortage, San Mateo County is exploring where to plan for growth and ways to expand and protect the supply of affordable housing over the next decade.
The final plan will help shape the region's future, the county said in a statement, as communities that long relied on relatively affordable housing to attract new residents and drive economic and job growth can no longer count on that advantage.
The County has released for public review a draft Housing Element outlining the expected housing needs for the next eight years, from 2023 to 2031, which incorporates strategies to create up to 3,414 new housing units of various types in unincorporated areas.
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After the recent improvements made to the system SMCalert, de alerta y advertencia de emergencia, quienes viven y trabajan en el condado de San Mateo ahora pueden recibir mensajes de texto, correo electrónico y voz que incluyen mapas, imágenes y varios idiomas.
SMCalert’s new features are intended to further assist residents by providing them with key information to help them stay safe and steer clear of incidents such as major traffic delays and detours, wildfires, floods, and mountain lions.
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San Mateo County-based Latino nonprofit Upward Scholars announced Thursday that it has launched a program to support immigrants seeking careers in early childhood education.
The academic and career support initiative, called TeacherUp, seeks to help county residents enroll in college, connect with employers and receive comprehensive support such as stipends.
The program builds on the 2018 workforce development pilot called the Teacher Pipeline Project, developed by the Community Equity Collaborative to address the shortage of early childhood educators on the Bay Area peninsula and supported by local community colleges, schools, nonprofits and policymakers.
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El Departamento de Policía de Redwood City arrestó a dos hombres, entre ellos un menor de edad, por asesinato en segundo grado, luego de participar en la colisión fatal de vehículos en Redwood City, en El Camino Real y Finger Avenue el pasado 4 de noviembre y que dejó como resultado dos personas muertas, padres de dos niñas, las cuales resultaron con lesiones menores.
The 17-year-old Redwood City resident who was driving the speeding vehicle that collided with the victims' car was arrested on November 18 and booked into the San Mateo County Juvenile Services Center.
However, it was not until Monday, November 21 that Redwood City police officers located the second driver and vehicle involved in the speed contest, Kyle Harrison, 23 years old, who is also a resident of Redwood City.
Both subjects were arrested on two counts of second degree murder.
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El Departamento de Policía de Palo Alto ya investiga un incidente con disparos que se efectuó la tarde de este lunes en el centro comercial de Stanford, donde un sospechoso desconocido en un vehículo disparó al menos una ronda en el Prime Steakhouse de Fleming. Nadie fue alcanzado por las balas.
La información inicial indica que el sospechoso disparó con una pistola desde un vehículo en movimiento y se desconoce el motivo u objetivo del evento.
La policía detalló que la ventana delantera de Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, fue alcanzada por una sola bala. Los oficiales también encontraron un vehículo estacionado desocupado cerca que también fue alcanzado con otro proyectil.
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A Caltrain train fatally struck a pedestrian Wednesday night in Burlingame.
According to Caltrain, the incident occurred at approximately 7:32 p.m. when northbound train number 415 fatally struck the person who was trespassing on the tracks just south of the Burlingame Station in San Mateo.
Para tomar medidas enérgicas contra la venta ilegal de tabaco a menores, ciudades, condados, distritos escolares y agencias de aplicación de la ley en todo el estado pronto recibirán millones de dólares en fondos estatales, anunció el lunes el fiscal general de California, Rob Bonta.
El Programa de subvenciones para el tabaco del Departamento de Justicia de California, financiado por un impuesto estatal al tabaco, está distribuyendo 18.6 millones de dólares a 41 programas gubernamentales locales para informar, investigar y sancionar a los minoristas de tabaco que venden productos a jóvenes menores de 21 años.
Desde 2017, el programa ha entregado 170 millones de dólares en subvenciones a los gobiernos a través de un proceso de solicitud competitivo.
El programa de subvenciones espera no solo frenar a los minoristas que ignoran las leyes federales sobre el tabaco, sino también mitigar en última instancia la próxima generación de adictos al tabaco.
«Todos los días, miles de jóvenes californianos fumarán su primer cigarrillo», refirió Bonta. «Los fabricantes y minoristas de tabaco tienen gran parte de la culpa, ya que a menudo fomentan directamente el creciente mercado de menores de edad para sus productos. El Programa de subvenciones para el tabaco del Departamento de Justicia de California proporciona fondos críticos para prevenir estas ventas ilegales y reducir el consumo de tabaco entre los jóvenes en nuestras comunidades».
Según Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, una organización de defensa compuesta por funcionarios de salud pública, el consumo de tabaco es la principal causa de muerte prevenible en los Estados Unidos y es responsable de más muertes que el alcohol, los accidentes automovilísticos, los asesinatos, los suicidios, las drogas ilegales y el SIDA combinados. En California, se estima que más de 400 mil niños mueren prematuramente por fumar.
El programa de subvenciones ayudará a los beneficiarios a instruir a los minoristas locales de tabaco sobre las leyes federales, garantizar que sus licencias cumplan y enjuiciar a quienes venden productos de tabaco a los jóvenes, incluso en Internet.
En el Área de la Bahía, los beneficiarios incluyen los departamentos de servicios de salud de los condados de Sonoma y Contra Costa, la escuela secundaria Fremont en el condado de Santa Clara, la oficina del alguacil de Alameda y los departamentos de policía de Piedmont, Pleasanton, San Pablo y Calistoga.
Although snow is never part of the equation, it does kick off holiday celebrations in the Bay Area. Many cities and towns have free events for the whole family. Joyful and triumphant revelers can travel from county to county to take part in the holiday festivities, shop for unique holiday crafts, enjoy the Hanukkah Festival of Lights, or celebrate Kwanzaa. This is certainly not an exhaustive list, though most of the events listed are free.
SAN FRANCISCO
The Ferry Building is hosting free craft events throughout the season, starting Sunday with Beary Merry Holiday polar bear crafts starting at 10 a.m. and “Pretty Presents” crafts like hot chocolate ornaments, herbal sachets and personalized mugs on Dec. 18.
The San Francisco Public Library will host a Kwanzaa Game Day on December 26th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. This will be the first day of Kwanzaa, also known as Umoja, or “unity.” Ancestors will be honored with the lighting of the first candle of the season, followed by games and refreshments for the whole family.
The annual SantaCon SF bar crawl will take place on December 10th starting in Union Square. Participating is free, you just need to dress up as an incarnation of Santa Claus. Participants hop from bar to bar, so if you plan on drinking punch, you'll have to pay for that.
Macy's holiday windows are in full effect now through January 1. The popular attraction features adoptable dogs and cats, puppies and kittens in conjunction with the SF SPCA. The furballs are on display from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, except Christmas Eve and Day. Macy's is located in Union Square.
On Monday, the Castro Holiday Tree Lighting will take place at Castro and 18th Street. Mayor London Breed, the SF Gay Men's Chorus, the SF Gay/Lesbian Freedom Band, and possible appearances by Supervisor Rafael Mandelman and State Senator Scott Wiener will be in attendance.
The Fifth Annual Shining Hanukkah Party will be held at Ghirardelli Square on December 8. Sponsored by the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, this event will feature dreidels and festive crafts, with candle lighting and singing. It runs from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Finally, the city will host its 10th Annual Illuminate SF Light Festival, featuring 62 light installations. For more information, including locations, go to https://www.illuminatesf.com.
EAST BAY
Pleasanton – The Hometown Holiday Parade will begin at 5 p.m. on Dec. 3, with marching bands, floats and community groups. A tree lighting ceremony will follow at approximately 6:45 p.m. with music, the mayor and a special appearance by Santa Claus.
Martinez – The Christmas tree and Santa lighting begins at 4 p.m. on Main Street Plaza. The city’s annual Hanukkah community celebration will take place beginning Dec. 18. Co-sponsored by Congregation B’nai Shalom, the traditional menorah lighting will take place nightly at dusk from Dec. 18-26 on Main Street Plaza. There will be music, sufganiyot and fun for the entire family.
Danville – Christmas at the Livery will feature free visits from Santa, train rides, a snow zone, tongue twisters, face painting, Christmas carols and cheerful gift bags for children. Held Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. The Livery is located at 567 Sycamore Rd., Danville.
Walnut Creek: The Garden D'Lights will shine in Ruth Bancroft Garden for the fourth year, featuring a drought-tolerant landscape filled with cacti, succulents and native California plants that are adorned with holiday lights, ornamentation, music and illuminated sculptures. The garden light installation runs through Jan. 8 and is located at 1552 Bancroft Rd. Tickets must be purchased.
Berkeley: Toddlers, children ages five and under, and their parents are invited to a holiday carnival at the Live Oak Community Center on Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will feature Snowflake Toss, Big Rain Drop Throw, Windy Parachute Games, and Pin the Nose on the Snowman. There will also be an arts and crafts station. Prizes and refreshments will be available. The center is located at 1301 Shattuck Ave.
Richmond – Downtown Holiday Festival featuring gift bag giveaways and photos with Santa. The festival will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on December 14 at the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts.
Brentwood – The Great Community Hanukkah Festival begins on December 18 at 4:30 p.m. There will be a menorah lighting with dignitaries, Hanukkah doughnuts and latkes, chocolate gelt, lots of crafts and even a fire and sword artist. It will take place in City Park in front of Brentwood City Hall.
NORTH BAY and WINE COUNTRY
Petaluma: Santa and Mrs. Claus will roll into town via riverboat Saturday across the Petaluma River, docking at the River Plaza shopping center. Petaluma Pete and the Pacific Empire Chorus will entertain the crowd at 11:30 a.m. until Santa appears at noon. The Petaluma Ballet School's "Nutcracker" dancers will also be twirling.
Windsor – The town’s annual Christmas celebration and tree lighting will take place on December 1 from 5 to 8 p.m. on the Town Green. Local schools will host live music displays at 5 p.m. and then the tree lighting will begin at 7 p.m. There’s also plenty for kids to do, including Santa’s Mailbox, cookie decorating and craft workshops.
Healdsburg: Merry Healdsburg festivities will be held downtown at Healdsburg Plaza on Dec. 2. A tree lighting ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m. followed by free photos with Santa. There will also be free hayrides sponsored by Kiwanis and free hot chocolate. Live music will include the Healdsburg Choir and Rocio La Dama de La Cumbia y Su Sonora.
Guerneville – The Parade of Lights kicks off after dark on December 3 at 7 p.m. on Main Street, with this year’s theme being “A Very Fairy Christmas.” This parade is known for its campy, offbeat fun.
Calistoga – Known as the “last small town holiday celebration,” the Calistoga Lighted Tractor Parade is definitely one of a kind. Modern, vintage and antique tractors will be adorned with lights along with other construction equipment. The parade runs from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on December 3.
Benicia: If you're looking for a charming small-town Christmas parade, look no further than Benicia's annual event. This year it takes place on December 10th and runs down First Street. The show starts at 10 a.m. and residents usually save their spots for the night, though there's always room for more. The parade is followed by a holiday market.
Vallejo: The city's annual Mad Hatter's Holiday Festival and Parade is not to be missed. It's weird and wonderful, with motorized contraptions from Obtainium Works, steam punk revelers, traditional holiday nods and more. It all starts at 2 p.m. at Unity Plaza near the library on Santa Clara Street with dancing horses, kids' crafts, kids' games and food. The parade starts on Georgia Street at 4:30 p.m. with a tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. at the library on Santa Clara Street. A lighted boat parade starts at 6:30 p.m. at the marina.
Sausalito - The Lighted Boat Parade and Fireworks Celebration will begin at 6 p.m. on December 10, rain or shine, along the Sausalito waterfront.
Mill Valley– Winterfest is back. Featuring live entertainment, a giant slide, tons of kid-friendly activities and great food, the event culminates with the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony. It takes place on December 4th from noon to 5 p.m. at Mill Valley’s Downtown Plaza.
St. Helena – Santa himself will make an appearance downtown on December 9 from 3 to 6 p.m. There will be photo opportunities, music and food vendors.
Napa – The city’s Christmas Parade will be held on December 10th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. in downtown Napa. This year’s theme celebrates 175 years of Christmas in Napa.
Yountville… How about a Latke Throw Down? Bardessono is hosting its second annual event at the Yountville Community Center, featuring a latke-making competition. Tickets are $10, but guests will be able to watch the competition and even sample the entrees. The event will take place on Dec. 15 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 6516 Washington St. Interested parties are encouraged to email their RSVP to events@bardessono.com.
American Canyon: It's time for the Magic of the Season with the Lighted Parade and Tree Lighting. In addition to the parade, there will be food vendors and a holiday gift market. The event will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on December 3 at Shenandoah Park, 100 Sonoma Creek Way.
SOUTH BAY
San Jose – Christmas in the Park takes place in the heart of downtown San Jose at Cesar Chavez Plaza. This free event has been running for 40 years and features musical and animated displays, bright lights, and a 50-foot-tall Christmas tree. School and community groups along with businesses decorate an “enchanted tree forest,” and vendors are on hand if you get hungry. This event runs through January 1.
Mountain View: Bring a folding chair, your singing voice and an open mind to the Holiday Sing-Along with TACO ‒Terrible Adult Chamber Orchestra‒ on Sunday. The event begins at 3 p.m. at Civic Center Plaza, 500 Castro St.
Foster City: Holiday music, light refreshments and Santa are part of this year's Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 14 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the recreation center at 650 Shell Blvd.
Los Altos: The Festival of Lights Parade has been held in Los Altos since 1977, featuring floats, marching bands and costumed characters all illuminated by lights. The revelry begins at 6 p.m. at First and State streets downtown.
Burlingame: A holiday tree lighting will be held at City Hall on Dec. 2, and a festive Chanukah event with a giant Lego menorah will begin on Dec. 18. There will also be latkes and doughnuts, crafts and selfies with a dreidel mascot. It's free but requires RSVP to the address at chabadnp.com/chanukah.
Colma – Get ready for the Christmas tree lighting on December 1 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Tall Hall Plaza on El Camino Real. Santa will be there with hot chocolate and treats.
Half Moon Bay: There are three holiday events in Half Moon Bay in December, starting with a lighted parade on December 2 at 6:15 p.m. There is also a kids' zone and Santa will be there to sign autographs at Dutra Park after the parade. An ugly sweater party rears its head on December 9 and there will be a contest for the most atrocious. Finally, the movie Elf will be shown on December 16 in the parking lot of Cunha's Country Store. All events take place on and around Main Street.
Pacifica – The 2022 Rockaway Tree Lighting Festival returns this year on December 4th from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Kids’ activities, food vendors and food trucks, flurries of “snow,” pony rides, live music, and Santa Claus, of course. The festival takes place at Rockaway Beach, Dondee Way.
Redwood City: There’s a Christmas parade, but the whole thing is really one big show, with photos with Santa, live entertainment; food, beer and wine vendors; and the parade at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 10 in Courthouse Square. The 13th Annual Hanukkah Festival will also be held Dec. 18 from 4:15 to 5:30 p.m. in Courthouse Square. There will be music, menorah lighting, latkes and doughnuts, moonwalking and holiday crafts. Organizers are also touting the “first menorah” painted in Northern California.
Luis Cequeda y su familia. Damnificados por la erosión y las fuertes crecientes del agua frente a su hogar en Tacamocho, Colombia. Foto: Elmer Arrieta.
The Colombian Congress discute esta semana una iniciativa de ley que tiene por objetivo reconocer a los desplazados por el cambio climático además de que mandata la creación de políticas públicas que busquen resarcir el daño que los desplazados puedan sufrir.
En la iniciativa de ley se define a los desplazados como todos aquellos que hayan tenido que migrar de su lugar de habitación de manera permanente o cíclica debido a los cambios que el clima presente en su región.
Además, se creará un registro nacional de desplazados y, en caso de aprobarse la ley, se discutirán las políticas públicas para ayudar a las víctimas del cambio climático.
La iniciativa fue planteada por la congresista del Partido Liberal, Julia Miranda Londoño, junto con Duvalier Sánchez y Wilmer Castellanos, contextualizada en la realización de la COP27.
De acuerdo con el Banco Mundial, para 205p habrá 216 millones de desplazados por el cambio climático en el mundo; es por eso que la COP27 buscó abordar el tema a partir de la discusión sobre «perdidas y daños» en donde diversas voces plantearon la necesidad de que los países responsables del cambio climático aporten dinero a las naciones que lo están sufriendo y que no tienen los recursos para adaptarse.
En su discurso de victoria electoral, el actual presidente Gustavo Petro, planteó que exigiría justicia ambiental pues, cuestionó, Estados Unidos produce contaminantes que están ocasionando daños en la selva amazónica colombiana por lo que, afirmó, la política climática será uno de los ejes de su gobierno.
¡Entrega un arma y consigue dinero en efectivo por ella sin preguntas! Así invitan las autoridades del San Mateo County a su evento de recompra de armas de diciembre, mismas que con dicha acción buscan que los residentes puedan ofrecer el regalo de la seguridad en esta temporada navideña.
Así, el condado de San Mateo y sus socios realizarán una recompra de armas el sábado 3 de diciembre.
El evento se llevará a cabo en 1000 Skyway Road en San Carlos de 10:00 a 14:00 horas. Los participantes deben llevar las armas de fuego de desean cambiar por dinero, descargadas en el baúl de un vehículo o, para camiones y camionetas, en un contenedor cerrado.
Anyone who turns in a firearm can receive cash: $50 for non-working firearms, $100 for pistols, shotguns and rifles, and $200 for assault weapons and "ghost guns" as classified by the state of California.
«Menos armas significa menos posibilidades de que las armas caigan en las manos equivocadas», señaló Don Horsley, presidente de la Junta de Supervisores del Condado de San Mateo y ex alguacil del condado. «Puede mantener a su familia más segura si se deshace de las armas de fuego no deseadas. Es trágico, pero más de la mitad de todos los suicidios ocurren con el uso de un arma de fuego».
Reducir la violencia armada es un objetivo principal de la Junta de Supervisores. En 2021, la Junta se comprometió a retener las recompras de armas hasta 2023 con fondos del impuesto a las ventas de la Medida K aprobado por los votantes que proporciona fondos locales para las necesidades locales.
El Condado ha recolectado un total de 2 mil 071 armas de fuego en cinco recompras realizadas desde mayo de 2018. El pago total ha sido por 206 mil 500 dólares.
«Nuestras comunidades son generalmente seguras», dijo el supervisor Dave Pine. «Pero la violencia armada permanece y ocurren muchas tragedias debido a las armas de fácil acceso. Eliminar las armas no deseadas es un paso significativo para mejorar la seguridad de la comunidad».
Los patrocinadores incluyen el condado de San Mateo, la oficina del alguacil del condado de San Mateo, la policía de Redwood City, la policía de Belmont, la ciudad de San Carlos y Citizens for a San Mateo County Gun Buyback.
Los interesados que tengan preguntas sobre como son las transacciones o las armas que serán compradas pueden llamar al 650-363-4800.
El virus respiratorio sincitial —VRS— ha generado preocupación en la comunidad médica debido a que se ha detectado un aumento significativo de infecciones en menores de edad.
Síntomas parecidos a la gripe que van desde tos y estornudos hasta fiebre, han aparecido en menores, causando un aumento en las hospitalizaciones en los últimos días.
Mina Hakim, especialista en pediatría del South Central Family Health Center en Los Ángeles, señaló que existe un aumento preocupante en las enfermedades respiratorias en menores.
During a press conference organized by Ethnic Media Services en la que expertos se reunieron para discutir acerca del aumento de VRS en menores en Estados Unidos, la especialista detalló que «se están tomando las precauciones para estar listos para lo peor», pues no se sabe lo que pasará en los próximos meses.
Y es que, 1 de cada 50 muertes de niños menores de 5 años en todo el mundo se debe al VRS, según un estudio de la revista Lancet Respiratory Medicine.
«Esto está llegando a un punto en el que está sobrecargando nuestras urgencias y nuestras UCI y nuestros hospitales», puntualizó Hakim.
Asimismo, explicó que el virus se propaga de una manera similar a la gripe, es decir, mediante gotículas, a través de las manos e incluso por superficies, pues el virus puede vivir hasta 6 horas.
Hakim también refirió que «los niños expuestos al tabaco en etapas tempranas tienen más probabilidades de estar en el hospital debido al VRS, al igual que los bebés que no han sido amamantados».
Por su parte, Priya Soni, especialista en enfermedades infecciosas pediátricas del Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, explicó las formas en las que se puede distinguir el VRS de la gripe y puntualizó que este último se presenta comúnmente durante el invierno.
«La influenza, gripe, COVID-19 y el VRS tienen síntomas similares y pueden presentar tos, moqueo nasal, fiebre y dolor de garganta», señaló, sin embargo el VRS también presenta dolor en el cuerpo, dolor de cabeza, fiebre alta y fatiga.
De igual manera, señaló la importancia de estar atentos a los síntomas de los niños menores de 6 meses, pues pueden llegar a dejar de respirar o comer. «Puede ser devastador en ese grupo de edad».
En este sentido Manisha Newaskar, profesora adjunta clínica en pediatría y medicina pulmonar de Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, refirió que el VSR puede causar bronquitis o la inflamación de los conductos respiratorios y destacó que a pesar de que la enfermedad afecta a todos los grupos de edad, los menores de 6 meses son los más afectados.
Newaskar advirtió que los hábitos de higiene básica como cubrir la boca al toser o lavar las manos frecuentemente pueden prevenir la enfermedad y recomendó no llevar a los menores a la escuela en caso de presentar síntomas.
No one imagines being in the middle of bullets, in the middle of chaos, running for your life, looking for a hiding place, not moving, covering your body with the blood of a family member, a friend, someone from the community to appear wounded, not making a sound, playing dead, not breathing. Is it time to be thankful for not being in that situation? Will we be thankful today that it wasn't one of us or one of our own? What is happening in the country? What is happening to us?
Just on the evening of November 19th, amidst music, color, and dancing inside a gay nightclub in Colorado, a 22-year-old gunman opened fire on patrons, killing five and wounding 25 more before heroic patrons subdued him and police were able to arrest him.
The young man named Anderson Lee Aldrich had at least two weapons, one of them a long one.
The tragedy has been repeated once again. Once again with connotations of hate. Once again against vulnerable groups who should not be afraid to walk or enjoy their day without the fear of being next.
This Thanksgiving, millions are celebrating being together, being able to stay alive despite a pandemic that has taken and continues to take many. Now, more than ever, hate crimes against those from minority communities are on the rise. Racism is added to the crimes that abound daily in the country.
According to the nonprofit Gun Violence Archive, there had been at least 606 mass shootings from January to mid-November of this year, 20 of them resulting in five or more deaths, including the Nov. 22 attack at a Walmart in Chesapeake, Virginia, and the Nov. 19 shooting at a Colorado nightclub.
The lack of consensus on what constitutes a mass shooting complicates efforts by government, nonprofits and news organizations to document the scope of the problem, The New York Times said in an article that revisits the issue in the country.
They say that each group defines mass shootings differently, depending on the circumstances, the number of victims and whether they are killed or injured, and whether the shooting occurs in a public place.
For perspective on how the situation has been worsening, the Gun Violence Archive notes on its website that there were 269 mass shootings in 2014, 335 in 2015, 382 in 2016, 346 in 2017, 336 in 2018, 417 in 2019, 611 in 2020, and 692 last year.
Since 2020 alone, the year the COVID-19 pandemic began, there have been 1,909 mass shootings, in which 200 people have died and 97 have been injured.
If these figures are not outrageous, I don't know what is. The situation is aggravating. The situation has gotten out of control and it seems that the country's legislators are unable or unwilling to do more to regulate the use of weapons, since currently in several states it is more difficult for a minor to buy beer than to acquire a weapon.
"Mass shootings are, for the most part, an American phenomenon. While they are generally grouped together as one type of incident, they are multiple and the basic definition is that they have a minimum of four victims shot, injured or killed, not including any shooter who was also killed or injured in the incident," the organization notes.
Regarding what happened in Colorado, US President Joseph Biden said that the citizens of his country "cannot and should not tolerate hate."
“Places that are meant to be safe spaces of acceptance and celebration should never become places of terror and violence. Yet, it happens all too often. We must eliminate the inequalities that contribute to violence against LGBTQI+ people,” she said.
But hatred has spread to other parts of society. Yesterday, November 23, six people were killed by gunfire from a man who opened fire on Tuesday night inside a Walmart in the city of Chesapeake, in the State of Virginia.
The mass shooting triggered an intense police mobilization, which arrived at the scene a few minutes after 10:00 p.m., when the first calls to emergency services were registered.
That same day, local police chief Mark Solesky confirmed that the perpetrator was an employee of the store and that, according to all indications, he committed suicide with the gun he used to carry out the attack.
Five more people were injured by the perpetrator and are hospitalized.
This Wednesday the establishment was still open at 10:00 p.m., as a large number of customers came to buy supplies and gifts to celebrate this "Thanksgiving Day." They were overcome with fear when they heard the shots that the perpetrator and manager of the establishment fired at his colleagues in the rest area.
Today, the families of those six people and others around the country are mourning what is happening and it seems that there is no end to it. Is it time to be thankful for being alive or to reflect on what is happening? Will those who legislate finally do something about stopping the sale of weapons? How many more shootings and murders are needed before the country can finally give thanks?
Pamela Cruz.Editor-in-Chief of Peninsula 360 Press. A communications expert by profession, but a journalist and writer by conviction, with more than 10 years of experience in the media. Specialized in medical and scientific journalism by Harvard and winner of the International Visitors Leadership Program scholarship from the U.S. government. Twittter: @Pamesmiamiga
This publication was supported in whole or part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.
The Governor Gavin Newsom anunció 47 millones de dólares en nuevos fondos para viviendas, mismos que servirán para incrementar los esfuerzos para prevenir y terminar con la falta de ésta, así como satisfacer las necesidades de vivienda y servicios de comunidades de las naciones tribales de California.
Los apoyos incluyen 20 millones en subvenciones de asistencia tribal para personas sin hogar de la Agencia de Negocios, Servicios al Consumidor y Vivienda ‒BCSH, por sus siglas en inglés‒ para financiar proyectos en 16 comunidades tribales en todo el estado.
Además se suman cuatro subvenciones Homekey del Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Comunitario ‒HCD‒ por un total de 27 millones de dólares para financiar 75 hogares para miembros de cuatro tribus, incluidos jóvenes sin hogar.
«California está invirtiendo para sacar a las personas de las calles y ubicarlas en viviendas seguras en todo el estado, con un enfoque particular en los nativos americanos y las poblaciones desproporcionadamente afectadas por la falta de vivienda», dijo el gobernador Newsom.
Asimismo, se informó que se otorgarán 20 millones de dólares adicionales en subvenciones tribales en 2023.
«Las naciones tribales de California han estado trabajando activamente para abordar la inseguridad en la vivienda, el hacinamiento y la falta de vivienda, pero el financiamiento para la vivienda y la falta de vivienda a menudo ha sido un obstáculo», señaló la secretaria de BCSH, Lourdes Castro Ramírez.
La funcionaria precisó que estos nuevos recursos directos llevarán a los líderes tribales a moverse más rápidamente para enfrentar los desafíos únicos que tienen los miembros de sus comunidades. «Estamos comprometidos a apoyar las prioridades establecidas por los líderes tribales y estas subvenciones ayudarán a abordar las necesidades específicas identificadas por el liderazgo tribal. Esperamos expandir esta asociación en el futuro».
Homekey ha financiado más de 200 proyectos que, cuando estén completos, se prevé proporcionarán más de 12 mil 500 hogares temporales y permanentes para los californianos que experimentan o corren el riesgo de quedarse sin hogar. Hasta el momento, se han financiado más de 140 viviendas en asociación con tribus.
«La misión del Programa de Asistencia Indígena de California de HCD es brindar asistencia técnica a los socios tribales para garantizar el acceso a fondos y programas de vivienda, incluido Homekey», subrayó el director de HCD, Gustavo Velásquez. «Estos cuatro proyectos Homekey anunciados hoy son solo el comienzo: HCD continuará colaborando directamente con las comunidades tribales y los socios para satisfacer sus necesidades únicas de vivienda».
Trains and buses around the Bay Area will be running reduced schedules this Thanksgiving Thursday.
BART will operate a Sunday schedule this Thursday, with train service from 8 a.m. to midnight, with all five lines operating until 9 p.m. and three lines operating from 9 a.m. to midnight.
Normal weekday service begins on Friday with trains running from 5:00 a.m. to midnight.
Free parking will also be available Thursday at all stations except Milpitas and Berryessa/San Jose, which are operated by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. Parking charges resume Friday.
Caltrain will operate on a weekend schedule on both Thursday and Friday between the San Francisco, San Jose Diridon and Tamien stations.
Caltrain will offer a modified schedule with hourly local service beginning early in the morning and a roundtrip train from Gilroy the day after Thanksgiving.
A Caltrain train fatally struck a pedestrian Wednesday night in Burlingame.
According to Caltrain, the incident occurred at approximately 7:32 p.m. when northbound train number 415 fatally struck the person who was trespassing on the tracks just south of the Burlingame Station in San Mateo.
A Caltrain official said there were 40 passengers on board at the time of the incident, and none were injured.
