San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Seattle eats up costly stadium dining series
For a limited time, foodies can score a socially distanced, outdoor meal at the home of Seattle’s NFL team, the Seahawks.
The Field to Table dining series kicked off this month at Lumen Field, offering upscale eats, plus a view of the stadium normally reserved for players and coaches.
It’s not cheap though: The cost is $100 per person, plus tax and a service charge. Beverages are also extra.
What’s included? Arrival through the same Seahawkslogo steel tunnel used by the team on game day, a seat under an opensided tent on the field near the north end zone, and a fourcourse meal served up by a rotating roster of local chefs.
Event producer Sam Minkoff says he believes the dining series is the first of its kind in the U.S. And people are eating it up.
All the original dates quickly sold out, but Minkoff noted additional reservations will be available soon. He said his company, SE Productions, was able to book two weeks of overtime, extending the event through March.
Field to Table meals are prepared in the stadium kitchen and an adjoining warming tent. There are two seatings per evening, accommodating about 100 people each, as night falls and the stadium is transformed by the glow of purple and green lights.
A portion of the proceeds go to the nonprofit Big Table, which helps struggling restaurant and hospitality workers. Seattle area eateries recently resumed reducedcapacity indoor seating after being restricted to takeout or limited outdoor seating. ARKANSAS
State easing restrictions
Arkansas is lifting most of its coronavirus safety restrictions, except for its mask mandate.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced the decision as he extended the public health emergency he declared last year because of the pandemic. Hutchinson is extending the order until the end of March.
The rules being lifted include capacity limits for restaurants, bars, gyms and large venues.
Hutchinson has faced pushback from some fellow Republicans in the state legislature over the virus safety rules.
The governor said the mask mandate will be lifted at the end of March if the state’s positivity rate is below 10%, with at least 7,500 tests on an average daily basis. If the state has fewer tests, the mandate would end if hospitalizations are below 750 patients. CONNECTICUT
Schools set up vaccine clinics
Connecticut school districts around the state have begun organizing their own COVID19 vaccination clinics, preparing for the official rollout of vaccines for teachers and other school staff on Monday.
Waterbury Mayor Neil O’Leary said there will be a special section at the mass vaccination clinic at Waterbury Arts Magnet School just for those employees.
“We’re going to get you done very, very quickly,” O’Leary said. “We are very excited to get you in, get your your shot, schedule your second shot. Let’s go.”
Residents age 55 and older will be allowed to register for vaccination appointments as well. MIDEAST
Lockdown set in West Bank
The Palestinian government announced a 12day lockdown in the Israelioccupied West Bank after a surge in coronavirus cases, including new variants.
Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh announced the lockdown, which includes closing schools, a nighttime curfew and ban on travel.
On Saturday, the Health Ministry reported 1,472 new infections in the West Bank. The confirmed death toll is 1,476 people.
The Palestinian Authority secured 10,000 doses of vaccines from Russia and began its limited inoculation drive. Israel delivered 2,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine and is yet to provide 3,000 more shots, covering a tiny fraction of the Palestinian population.
Israel, which has administered at least one dose of Pfizer vaccine on over half of its population, is facing scrutiny and criticism for not sharing the shots with Palestinians under its control. Israel says the Palestinian Authority is responsible for providing health services to its people.
NEW ZEALAND
Curbs ordered for Auckland
New Zealand’s largest city of Auckland is returning to lockdown for seven days after a new unexplained infection emerged.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made the announcement Saturday evening after an urgent meeting with top lawmakers in the Cabinet. She said the lockdown would take effect Sunday.
Auckland earlier this month was placed in a threeday lockdown after new cases of the more contagious variant first found in Britain were discovered.
New Zealand has pursued a zerotolerance elimination strategy with the virus, and had successfully stamped out community spread before the latest cases were found.
Ardern said the latest patient could have infected others.