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PG&E Outage affects campus and a sizable portion of North Berkeley.

Got a robo call from PG&E about an hour ago that power is out in my neighborhood. Looked at the outage map for Berkeley and noticed that campus is out, a sizable portion of North Berkeley is out and so is Tilden Park. Power is expected back on by 4:45 PM.

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So that's how they do it...

According to Chris Vannini (chrisvannini.com) over on Bluesky, FAU's football head coach contract includes a clause where the head coach can be reassigned to another position within the university. Like in facilities management.

https://bsky.app/profile/chrisvannini.com/post/3lbakdas4v72g

Makes we wonder where I'd reassign Justin Wilcox.

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Oh! Anyone here remember Tom Herman, who was a hot shot up-and-coming coach who had a breakout season at University of Houston? He later became Texas' HC for four seasons, but didn't produce the national championship the Longhorns' fans wanted. He's been fired. From Florida Atlantic University.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/42468733/florida-atlantic-fires-coach-tom-herman-amid-5-game-losing-streak

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PRO

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Steph Curry, Warriors cruise past Grizzlies in Emirates NBA Cup game

https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2024/11/15/24297868/warriors-grizzlies-scores-recap-steph-curry-emirates-nba-cup

The Golden State Warriors were in a favorable position entering Friday’s game, having had two off days in between home games, before facing a Memphis Grizzlies squad that was without two-time All-Star Ja Morant. And as they’ve consistently done so far in this young NBA season, they capitalized on the opportunity, cruising to a comfortable 123-118 win that wasn’t nearly as close as the final score, and taking over first place in group play of the Emirates NBA Cup, where they now have a 2-0 record.

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Lakers bounce back in the second half to fry the Pelicans for fifth straight win

https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2024/11/16/24298438/lakers-vs-pelicans-final-score-recap-stats-box-score-lebron-james-anthony-davis-dalton-knecht

After an atrocious first half, the Lakers bounced back in the second to win against the Pelicans 104-99 on Saturday night.

LeBron James was having a quiet game but stepped up late, scoring back-to-back 3-pointers as part of a 21-point performance by the King. He also had seven rebounds and five assists and passed John Stockton for the fifth-most games played in NBA history.

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The world is not ending!

'Inside the NBA' to appear on ESPN, ABC next season

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/42464696/inside-nba-appear-espn-abc-next-season

"Inside the NBA," which features the quartet of Ernie Johnson Jr., Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O'Neal, will appear on ESPN and ABC starting with the 2025-26 season via a partnership with TNT Sports and the NBA, it was announced Monday.

Except when the show goes on the road, TNT Sports will continue to independently produce "Inside the NBA" from its Atlanta-based studios over the term of the agreement. Johnson, Barkley, Smith and O'Neal will remain with the show.

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Thank you, Donald Trump!

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Geno Smith runs away from the 49ers for the first time in his career; Niners fall 20-17

https://www.ninersnation.com/2024/11/17/24298982/brock-purdy-christian-mccaffrey-dk-metcalf-geno-smith-49ers-seahawks-nfc-west

The San Francisco 49ers first possession without George Kittle resulted in a three-and-out. Pat O’Donnell made his punting debut with Mich Wishnowsky out with a back injury. O’Donnell’s punt went 43 yards with no return.

Geno Smith’s first pass went for 12 yards, as Isaac Yiadom gambled and lost. The Seahawks took a shot down the field on first down, but Dee Winters — the linebacker we’ve been clamoring for in pass coverage — was in a great position to break up Smith’s pass.

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Geno won the game with a couple of superman plays (and he isn't superman; contrast with Josh Allen at Buffalo), but they worked because of unsoundness in the 49ers defense. Unfortunately, every time that works it inspires other coaches at various levels (Hello Dan Lanning, among others) to make/rely on superman play calls when they don't actually have superman on the roster.

Shanahan lost another close game with considerable consequences, but not because of his offense this time.

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They only scored 17 points, so it was kind of because of his offense.

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A factor, but unsound defense is unsound regardless of what the offense has done. To lay this on the offense solely, or primarily, is not in alignment with facts, or the misaligned SF defense on the final drive.

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SF's defense would have been in a different posture if SF's offense had produced more points on the opportunities. I'll stipulate right now that I didn't watch any of the game until there were about 8:00 minutes remaining.

But the gamecast on ESPN shows that the 49ers were handed a golden opportunity at the beginning of the 2nd half after picking off Geno Smith and returning it to Seattle's 27. The results? They got a FG after gaining 12 yards on 7 plays. The offense left 4 points out on the field.

The Seattle possession after the 49ers TD in the 4th quarter went 33 yards on 10 plays and was a turnover on downs at the SF 37. On the ensuing possession the 49ers got 21 yards on 5 plays and punted. Ten more yards would have clearly put the ball within Moody's range for a FG.

Even if no points were scored, one more first down and running another 2 minutes off the clock would have put Seattle in a bind. Yeah, the offense didn't hold up their end of the deal.

Shanahan's offenses turtle at the most critical points in the game.

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You don't suppose the opposing defenses, having made in game adjustments, could have had anything to do with that, do you?

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Yeah, this is just a cursed season for the Niners. Too many injuries and too much weirdness in the offseason. They might still sneak into the playoffs, but hard to see them making a deep run.

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Raiders-Dolphins score: Las Vegas can’t play complete game

https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2024/11/17/24287079/raiders-dolphins-score-week-11-review

The 4-7 Miami Dolphins are not a good NFL football team.

But they are much better than the Las Vegas Raiders who came out of their bye Sunday and floundered once again, this time being toppled 34-19 by the host Miami Dolphins.

The Raiders have lost six straight games and are 2-8. They have trailed by double digits in all 10 of their games, which is mind boggling.

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The Raiders aren't even a shadow of their playoff selves. They are a parody of their once-proud franchise name.

Eff Mark Davis and what he's done with his father's franchise.

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ELSEWHERE IN COLLEGE

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Personal F-Owl

All four FBS football teams with an owl mascot have fired their HC: Rice, Temple, FAU, Kennesaw State. The worst may be Temple - where the Philly Inquirer is questioning whether the whole program gets axed.

https://www.inquirer.com/sports/temple-firing-stan-drayton-end-football-program-20241118.html

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Damn paywall.

But I can guess - The article probably speculates about whether or not Temple has the resources needed to compete in FBS given that the landscape has changed dramatically since the institution of the transfer portal and NIL rules and laws.

There might also be a reference to whether or not a football program is appropriate for an institution of higher education.

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Holy Cross player puts up the buzzer beater, celebrates with his teammate Bane

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhD02XvQR78#t=23s

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BYU's perfect season goes poof in the disastrous pooch punt return

https://x.com/RossDellenger/status/1858034879595774423

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[Ex-PAC] ASU upsets K-State 24-14, Arizona beats Houston 27-3, #17 CU beats Utah 49-24 as the Utes were on their four and fifth string QBs., UW beats UCLA 31-19, #1 Oregon beats Wiscy 16-13, USC beats Nebraska 28-20, #18 Wazzu loses to [checks notes] New Mexico 38-35, Oregon State gets blanked by an awful Air Forece 28-0 as the Beavs only got 175 yards behind their third string QB

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[ACC] UVA loses to #8 Notre Dame 35-14, Boston College loses to #14 SMU 38-28, Stanfoo upsets #19 L'ville 38-35 on a highly improbable 20 yards of penalties in the last seconds, #20 Clemson eats Pitt 24-20, UNC beats Wake Forest 31-24

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CAL

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Rich Lyons leads a "Go! Bears!" cheer at NYSE as he rings the closing bell.

https://twitter.com/avinashkunnath/status/1858618626125033558

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meeting Rich Lyons at some alumni event in New Canaan CT tomorrow. makes sense that he is already in town.

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Early kickoff for SMU game (12:30 pm Pacific on ESPN2)

https://twitter.com/CalFootball/status/1858571602054771121

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[MTEN] Bears Seek NCAA Titles In Waco

https://calbears.com/news/2024/11/17/mens-tennis-bears-seek-ncaa-titles-in-waco.aspx

Kris Kwinta leads a talented group of five Golden Bears to Waco, Texas, this week, when the California men's tennis contingent will try to capture the program's first NCAA individual championship since 1991. Cal's six postseason entries – four in singles and two in doubles – are the most of any program, men's or women's, in the individual championships. This is also the largest group that Cal men's tennis has brought to the NCAA individual championships this century. Alex Chang, Theo Dean, Carl Emil Overbeck and Timofey Stepanov will compete in the NCAA Singles Championship, which starts Tuesday at Baylor's Hurd Tennis Center. The duo of Dean and Overbeck and pair of Chang and Mikey Wright will start the NCAA Doubles Championship on Wednesday.

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[MBB] Bears Take Down USC

https://calbears.com/news/2024/11/17/mens-basketball-bears-take-down-usc.aspx

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Andrej Stojakovic tied a career high with 20 points, Jovan Blacksher Jr. added 19 and Joshua Ola-Joseph made several key plays down the stretch Sunday night to help California beat USC 71-66 at the Galen Center.

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[WFC FP] Cal 71, USC 66: Men's Basketball Vanquishes Old Foes in Rare Road Win

https://writeforcalifornia.com/p/cal-usc-basketball-2024-recap-results-analysis

Cal joins a new conference best known for men’s basketball prowess. For one November night in Los Angeles, Cal Men’s Basketball shows that ACC is better than B1G.

After missing Wednesday’s game to be with his growing family, head coach Mark Madsen was back on the sidelines. Cal Men’s Basketball clearly got a wake-up call from the poor road performance at Vanderbilt and bounced back on Sunday night like a completely different team.

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[WTEN] 4 Bears Open NCAA Individual Championships

https://calbears.com/news/2024/11/17/womens-tennis-4-bears-open-ncaa-individual-championships.aspx

Four Golden Bears will represent the California women's tennis team at the NCAA individual championships in the first year that the national tournaments will take place in the fall. Cal is tied for the most singles entrants, with Katja Wiersholm, Mao Mushika and Lan Mi competing in the NCAA Singles Championship starting Tuesday at Baylor. The pair of Mushika and Jessica Alsola plays in the NCAA Doubles Championship starting Wednesday at the Hurd Tennis Center.

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[WSOC] Golden Bears Get Golden Goal, Defeat No. 22 Pepperdine 2-1

https://calbears.com/news/2024/11/16/womens-soccer-golden-bears-get-golden-goal-defeat-no-22-pepperdine-2-1.aspx

MALIBU, Calif.– Exactly 10 years and one day after its last NCAA Championship win, the California women's soccer team got back into the postseason win column Saturday defeating No. 22 Pepperdine 2-1 in double overtime at Tari Frahm Rokus Field. The Golden Bears' golden goal came off the heel of senior center back Courtney Boone in the 106th minute.

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[VB] Three Bears Notch Double-Doubles In Loss To Virginia

https://calbears.com/news/2024/11/15/volleyball-three-bears-notch-double-doubles-in-loss-to-virginia.aspx

BERKELEY – California volleyball clashed with a strong Virginia squad Friday night in an exciting defensive showdown at Haas Pavilion, posting a season-high 105 digs against the Cavaliers (20-7, 10-6 ACC) but ultimately falling in four sets (25-18, 20-25, 24-26, 17-25) in its penultimate home match. The Golden Bears are now 12-16 (4-12) on the season.

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[MPOLO] Cal Falls In Regular Season Finale

https://calbears.com/news/2024/11/15/mens-water-polo-cal-falls-in-regular-season-finale.aspx

STANFORD – The No. 7 California men's water polo team concluded its 2024 regular season with the Big Splash at No. 3 Stanford on Friday night, falling to the Cardinal 16-11.

Marci Szatmary led all players with three goals for his second hat trick of the year, scoring twice in the third quarter. Senior Jake Howerton added two goals and an assist of his own.

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[WSWIM] Bears Sign Highly Rated Recruiting Class

https://calbears.com/news/2024/11/15/womens-swimming-diving-bears-sign-highly-rated-recruiting-class.aspx

BERKELEY - The California women's swimming & diving program has signed a generational recruiting class, inking four of the nation's top 10 recruits for the 2025-26 season.

Director of Swimming & Diving David Durden announced seven new student-athletes are headed to Berkeley, including Teagan O'Dell of Chino Hills (No. 2 national recruit according to SwimSwam), No. 3 Claire Weinstein of White Plains, New York (No. 3, 2024 Summer Olympian), Annie Jia of Horsham, Pennsylvania (No. 8) and Elle Scott of Charlotte, North Carolina (No. 9). The Golden Bears are also adding Ella Cosgrove of Tucson, Arizona (No. 19), Alexa McDevitt of Bainbridge Island, Washington (honorable mention) and Gracyn Aquino of Santa Margarita (California state champion).

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[XC] Denker Leads Bears With All-Region Finish

https://calbears.com/news/2024/11/15/cross-country-denker-leads-bears-at-ncaa-west-regionals.aspx

COLFAX, Wash. – The California men's and women's cross country teams competed at the NCAA West Regional Championships on Friday, with the men finishing 11th and the women taking home 13th.

Both squads had one top-60 finisher apiece, highlighted by All-Region Carrick Denker pacing the men's team with a 23rd-place effort. Denker, who was Cal's top finisher for the fifth time this season, crossed the line with a time of 29:33.7, breaking his personal record for the 10k race.

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Because of Saturday's defeat this will mark the 14th consecutive season (not counting the Covid year) in which Cal will have failed to win eight regular season games. In that time the Bears will have had four seven-win regular seasons ('11, 15, '18 '19). But I understand that Wilcox is a really nice guy.

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In that time schools such Oregon State, Arizona, Colorado, Indiana and Tulane have gone from bad to really good. It can be done. Under Wilcox the Bears are 39-43, and 21-39 in conference.

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Cal's #1 problem in its football history has been hanging on to bad coaches too long. We've just repeated it again with Wilcox. (Though in fairness, he did fool us a bit with a promising first few years, unlike Holmoe.)

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i hung around until midway of the 3rd quarter w/ the DBD crowd. at least it was a beautiful sunny day on the student side of Memorial Stadium.

i learned that Memorial Stadium was named to commemorate soldiers from WW1. i did not appreciate that until the halftime ceremony.

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Go Bears!!! Beat Stanfurd!!!

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WELL

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, I am not...

I am sick. I've got some sort of bug. Aches. Chest congestion. Yucky throat. Generally bleh. Negative for Covid. It's been perhaps half a decade since I've had a cold/flu.

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That describes the majority of the population in the northern tier of the country for most of the 5 month season we call winter.

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On the topic of well water, during my Cal freshman orientation, somehow the topic of well water came up and another (suburban) frosh was astounded that I had grown up with well water. To her, well water was like Little House on the Prairie hand pump in a bucket outside the house. Even when I reassured her the pumping was done by machines and came into the house via pipes like city places, all she could say was "You don't seem like a hick!". Early introduction to the idea we all have a lot to learn about each other...

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Most of rural America, and some significant suburban areas, use well water. Your story is another scary indication of how uninformed significant segments of the country/population are about any number of key issues that vary significantly across the country.

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Interesting. Just this past weekend, someone on Twitter made the assertion that "0% people in the United States have unsafe water" or some other such nonsense. I reminded him that not everyone lives with a municipal water system and that many people in the US live on well water which comes with its own challenges, which includes mineral content and yes, arsenic, or even e. coli.

On a personal note: when I was 15 our family moved from Berkeley to Hunterdon County, NJ. I went from being familiar with EBMWU's high quality water to well water at our new home. I also learned what hard water was and how it affected a number of things, including how you wash dishes, and have to account for lime and scale buildup.

I'm grateful that I have access to EBMWU water. I'm spoiled.

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Some considerable amount of well water is significantly safer and purer than a lot of municipal water systems.

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You're a brave man to debate Fiatslug about civilian water safety

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It just points out that there are certain cases, which he states accurately, in certain places and circumstances, that are far from ubiquitous across the continent. (And that's before expanding the conversation to Canada & Alaska). Mexico....probably shouldn't even interject that into the picture.

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You wanna bet on that?

There are federal rules (Safe Drinking Water Act or SDWA) on drinking water standards. In California, there are also stringent state rules, which use the EPA rules as the basis for the state standard.

Very typically, there are very few or no regs covering well water or spring water in private systems, which are typically non-community or non-municipal water systems. Sonoma County, for instance, doesn't regulate spring water and there are numerous water quality issues that can arise from spring water. It's up to the owner to conduct their own testing and treatment.

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California isn't representative of much of the country. All that you state is true, but it is also true that there are lead and wood and clay pipes in some municipal systems, especially smaller and older ones, just for example.

And as you note, individual systems are maintained to varying qualities. Some people in my region have the benefit of a lot of naturally clean water. In fact the largest water system in the state gets most of it from a series of creeks, and the rest from wells. That wouldn't be possible, much less desirable, in a lot of places.

The point is generalizing, as usual, breaks down because there are so many varying circumstances in a very expansive country. You have to get deeper into the details of each circumstance.

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And while all of that may be true, it misses my original point entirely - there is a non-zero chance that no one in the United States has unsafe water conditions. The statement that 0% have unsafe water conditions is to be examined with healthy and critical skepticism. And municipal systems throughout the US still have many pipes with lead in them.

You simply can't account for all of the many hundreds, possibly thousands, of private water systems not governed by federal or state regulations.

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Lots of very old clay pipes still in the Atlanta water systems. New warnings of lead pipes just went out in DeKalb County (one of two major providers for Atlanta area). Lots to clean up...

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well well

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OUR CRUMBLING DEMOCRACY

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This is fine.

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DBD AV CLUB

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Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (Netflix, 13/19, WB). Great cast. Will Poulter was fantastic. Gimmicky and not even a fraction as well done as interactive video games - but it was mildly interesting. Meh.

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