California Policy and Politics Friday Morning  

South African scientists detect new virus variant amid spike -- A new coronavirus variant has been detected in South Africa that scientists say is a concern because of its high number of mutations and rapid spread among young people in Gauteng, the country’s most populous province, Health Minister Joe Phaahla announced Thursday. Andrew Meldrum and Mogomotsi Magome Associated Press -- 11/26/21

For vaccinated residents and staff, Thanksgiving in nursing homes is proof ‘we’re back to life’ -- More than 100 people filled the dining room at Ararat Nursing Facility to celebrate Thanksgiving. Children and grandchildren embraced their loved ones. Friends in wheelchairs sat beside one another chatting in Armenian. Residents rose from their seats to dance to “Hey Jan Ghapama,” an Armenian song written about a stuffed pumpkin dish. Brittny Mejia in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/26/21

What it’s like in California’s worst COVID hot spot as cases stay low elsewhere -- Inyo, a vast, rugged county of 18,000 that adjoins the Nevada border and includes Death Valley, as well as eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada and towering Mount Whitney, has struggled like a number of California’s rural counties with the pandemic ravages that affect school kids and adults alike. Katie Licari-Kozak in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/26/21

Strong winds topple trees, cut power to thousands of customers and ruin some Thanksgiving feasts -- Santa Ana winds up to 70 mph whipped across Southern California overnight Wednesday, bringing down trees and power lines and prompting outages that left thousands of homes without power on Thanksgiving morning. Eric Licas in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 11/26/21

Policy and Politics  

Skelton: After decades in California politics, Allan Zaremberg has some parting advice for the GOP -- California is changing, so politicians and voters must change with it or lose. That’s the parting advice of Allan Zaremberg, the retiring California Chamber of Commerce president, after four decades of dealing with lawmakers in Sacramento. George Skelton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/26/21

Street  

Police: Luxury stores in Larkspur and Palo Alto targeted by same group of 30-40 alleged burglars -- Investigators have linked a group of 30 to 40 suspects to two break-ins Sunday night at different outposts of a luxury consignment chain — one in Larkspur and the other in Palo Alto. The group’s alleged burglaries came during a weekend that saw multiple mass retail crime across the Bay Area. Andres Picon in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/26/21

Also . . .   

Oakland Toyota dealership accused of ‘price gouging,' reportedly asking $96K for a RAV4 -- A 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime is on sale at a Toyota dealership in Oakland for the staggering price of nearly over $96,000, nearly double its initial MSRP, according to a viral car sticker image that has made the rounds on social media. Joshua Bote in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 11/26/21

‘Thankful to be together again.’ More than 26,000 come out for Run to Feed the Hungry -- A beloved Sacramento tradition came roaring back Thanksgiving morning. About 26,600 walkers and runners participated in the 28th annual Run to Feed the Hungry, according to event organizers. The event, which was “virtual” last year due to the lockdown, raised more than $900,000 for Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. Phillip Reese in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/26/21

‘Sorry!’ Customers with prepaid Thanksgiving meal orders find doors shut at Boston Market in Rancho Cucamonga -- Customers who showed up at Boston Market on Foothill Boulevard in Rancho Cucamonga to pick up their prepaid meals on a blustery Thanksgiving morning were in for a shock. The doors to the restaurant were closed. A sign outside read: “No employees showing up today… we are unable to fulfill the orders! We are sorry!” Allyson Escobar in the Orange County Register -- 11/26/21