Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 117

CCS baseball playoffs: Pitching lifts Carmel into Division III finals

MONTEREY — Over the course of the season, Carmel went 2-8 against teams currently in the Central Coast Section Division I or II playoffs.

However, of the programs they faced in the regular season that are in the postseason for Divisions III, IV, V and VI, the Padres put together a 15-2 mark.

“Division III is the spot where we belong,” Carmel baseball coach Mike Kelly said.

And for the second time in three years, the Padres are going back to the Division III finals after blanking Christopher 2-0 Wednesday at Sollecito Park.

“The kids have worked hard and are playing their best ball right now,” Kelly said. “It feels good and it feels right. This is the path we prepared for. We presented them with a plan and the kids have executed it.”

Runner-ups in the Gabilan Division, the top-seeded Padres (20-10) will face No. 3 seed Willow Glen (23-6) on Friday at Santa Clara University at a time yet to be determined.

Co-champions of the Mount Hamilton League, the Rams have won a season high 13 straight games, outslugging Los Altos 10-8 to advance to the finals.

Willow Glen plays in the same division as Christopher, having swept its season series with them by 5-1 and 5-4 scores. Its last loss came on April 18 to Leigh. While it doesn’t pack a lot of power at the plate, it has four hitters hitting over .400.”

“We scouted them last weekend,” said Kelly, in anticipation that they might face them. “We will start looking at film and see if we can learn more about them.”

This is the second time in three years that Carmel has knocked Christopher out of the playoffs, beating them 3-2 in 2023 en route to capturing the CCS Division III title.

“We were pretty good last year as well,” Kelly said. “But we got moved into Division I.”

Through two playoff games, Kelly has turned to a pair of underclassmen to shut down the opposition as freshman Kenny Sanchez hurled five-plus scoreless innings against Christopher. Sophomore Lucas Rocha tossed a complete game last Saturday.

“It’s a combination of being mature beyond their years and working at their craft,” Kelly said. “It’s not like they are athletes that pitch. They have dedicated themselves to a pitching training program. Matt Maxon is a great leader of the group.”

Maxon will likely draw the assignment in the title game, having gone 8-1 in the regular season, with 73 strikeouts, compiling an 0.92 earned run average.

While Sanchez got into a little trouble in the sixth when Christopher put a pair of baserunners on, Ty Arnold came in and put the fire out, then tossed a hitless seventh for the save.

Sanchez was staked to all the runs he would need in the first inning when Sean Carr tripled home Maxon, who doubled earlier in the inning. Carmel added insurance in the fifth inning when pinch hitter Michael Melnick singled home Skyler Brown

“It helps pitching with a lead,” Kelly said. “Our strikeout numbers are not high. But these guys don’t do stuff to hurt themselves. And our defense has done a great job all season.”

The Padres will be one of five Pacific Coast Athletic League teams playing for a section title, joining Hollister (DI), St. Francis (DIV), Monterey (DV) and Stevenson (DIV).

Pro Soccer: Gallaway, Union beat Spokane USL Jägermeister Cup

SEASIDE — Perhaps mixing it up a bit with different combinations was the recipe Monterey Bay FC needed to change its course of direction.

Using a goal in the opening four minutes from Carmel native Pierce Gallaway, the Union opened the Jagemeister Cup with a 1-0 win Wednesday over Spokane at Cardinale Stadium.

Now in its second year, the Jagermeister Cup features 38 teams from the United Soccer League Championship and United Soccer League One.

The Union will return to USL play on Saturday, looking to snap a six-game winless streak when they host Orange County, a rematch from March 22, when they traveled down to southern California and posted a 3-0 decision.

Despite its recent slide in the USL, in which Monterey Bay FC (4-4-4) has gone 0-3-3, it sits in fifth place in the Western Conference with 16 points, five points behind leader New Mexico United.

Two of Monterey Bay FC’s four USL losses have come from the current leaders in the Western and Eastern Conferences. It will go into Saturday’s match 3-1-1 at Cardinale Stadium in USL play.

Having been shut out in its two previous USL matches, the Union put one through the net before some settled into their seats when Gallaway took a pass from Alex Lara and drilled it through the net.

The Union turned to their defense, which shut down Spokane, a member of USL One, keeping them out of the box, with goalie Sam Gomez earning his first shutout between the pipes.

Warriors’ Brandin Podziemski undergoes surgery on shooting wrist

SAN FRANCISCO – The Warriors’ starting shooting guard underwent surgery on Tuesday in Los Angeles.

Golden State announced on Wednesday that Brandin Podziemski, 22, had an operation on his left wrist and is expected to be ready for the start of training camp. Podziemski shoots with his left hand.

The Warriors specified it was a debridement surgery.

Debridement “involves thoroughly cleaning the wound and removing all hyperkeratotic (thickened skin or callus), infected, and nonviable (necrotic or dead) tissue, foreign debris, and residual material from dressings,” according to UCSF’s Department of Surgery. 

Podziemski averaged 11.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game in 64 games last season, 33 of those being starts. 

The surgery could explain why the Santa Clara product struggled in the postseason, shooting just 36.4% from the field in 12 games, a steep decline from the 44.5% rate he shot in the regular season. 

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Before scoring an efficient 28 points in the Warriors’ season-ending Game 5 against the Timberwolves, Podziemski had made just 9 of 40 shots in Games 1 through 4.

Podziemski is not the only Warrior to undergo surgery this offseason. Fellow guard Moses Moody had his right thumb operated on less than a week prior.

The Warriors went 48-34 last season, defeating the Rockets in seven games before falling to the Timberwolves in the second round.

Trump administration cancels $766 million Moderna contract to fight pandemic flu

The Trump administration has canceled $766 million awarded to drugmaker Moderna Inc. to develop a vaccine against potential pandemic influenza viruses, including the H5N1 bird flu.

The company said it was notified Wednesday that the Health and Human Services Department had withdrawn funds awarded in July 2024 and in January to pay for development and purchase of its investigational vaccine.

The funds were awarded through the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, or BARDA, a program that focuses on medical treatments for potential pandemics.

The new vaccine, called mRNA-1018, used the same technology that allowed development and rollout of vaccines to fight Covid-19 in record time.

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Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has expressed deep skepticism regarding the safety of mRNA vaccines.

The cancelation came as Moderna announced positive interim results from an early-stage trial of the vaccine that targeted H5 bird flu virus, tested in 300 healthy adults.

“While the termination of funding from HHS adds uncertainty, we are pleased by the robust immune response and safety profile observed in this interim analysis,” the company said in a statement.

H5N1 bird flu viruses spilled from wild bird into cattle in the U.S. last year, infecting hundreds in several states. At least 70 people in the U.S. have been sickened by bird flu infections, mostly mild. One person died. Scientists fear that continued mutation of the virus could allow it to become more virulent or more easily spread in people, with the possibility that it could trigger a pandemic.

Moderna received $176 million in July 2024 and $590 million in January. The January award would have supported a late-stage clinical trial that could have determined the vaccine’s efficacy against pandemic viruses, including bird flu, a company spokesman said.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Former Connecticut governor, who resigned amid corruption scandal, pardoned by Trump

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland, whose promising political career was upended by a corruption scandal and two federal prison stints, has been pardoned by President Donald Trump.

The Republican governor, who served from 1995 until 2004, was among a number of prominent figures the Republican president granted clemency Wednesday, including former New York Congressman Michael Grimm, also a Republican, and reality TV stars Julie and Todd Chrisley.

A White House official confirmed the pardon but spoke only on background to discuss matters that have not yet been made public.

In an email to the Hartford Courant, Rowland wrote: “I am deeply humbled and appreciative. I have been blessed with a wonderful family and friends that have been through a great deal over the years. This is a wonderful final resolution.”

President Donald Trump, left, gestures as Attorney General Pam Bondi, right, looks on during a swearing in ceremony for interim U.S. Attorney General for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in the Oval Office of the Whit House in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Once the nation’s youngest governor, Rowland was elected three times to the state’s highest office before resigning at the age of 47 amid a federal corruption investigation into gifts and favors that he accepted from state contractors and a growing move by state legislators to impeach him from office.

Rowland served 10 months in a federal prison camp after pleading guilty in 2004 to one count of conspiracy to steal honest services.

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It was a stunning fall from grace for a man once considered a rising star in national Republican politics.

The Waterbury native served three terms in Congress, was chairman of the national Republican Governors Association and a friend of former President George H.W. Bush. He was elected governor in 1994 at the age of 37.

After finishing his prison sentence, Rowland found new life as a popular AM radio commentator.

But in 2014 he was convicted of conspiring to hide his work on political campaigns and was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison.

Hartford Courant reporter Christopher Keating and Associated Press reporter Will Weissert contributed to this report.

Federal trade court blocks Trump from imposing sweeping tariffs under emergency powers law

By LINDSAY WHITEHURST and JOSH BOAK, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal court on Wednesday blocked President Donald Trump from imposing sweeping tariffs on imports under an emergency-powers law, swiftly throwing into doubt Trump’s signature set of economic policies that have rattled global financial markets, frustrated trade partners and raised broader fears about inflation intensifying and the economy slumping.

The ruling from a three-judge panel at the New York-based U.S. Court of International Trade came after several lawsuits arguing Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs exceeded his authority and left the country’s trade policy dependent on his whims.

Trump has repeatedly said the tariffs would force manufacturers to bring back factory jobs to the U.S. and generate enough revenue to reduce federal budget deficits. He used the tariffs as a negotiating cudgel in hopes of forcing other nations to negotiate agreements that favored the U.S., suggesting he would simply set the rates himself if the terms were unsatisfactory.

White House spokesperson Kush Desai said that trade deficits amount to a national emergency “that has decimated American communities, left our workers behind, and weakened our defense industrial base — facts that the court did not dispute.”

The administration, he said, remains “committed to using every lever of executive power to address this crisis and restore American Greatness.”

But for now, Trump might not have the threat of import taxes to exact his will on the world economy as he had intended, since doing so would require congressional approval. What remains unclear is whether the White House will respond to the ruling by pausing all of its emergency power tariffs in the interim.

Trump might still be able to temporarily launch import taxes of 15% for 150 days on nations with which the U.S. runs a substantial trade deficit. The ruling notes that a president has this authority under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974.

The ruling amounted to a categorical rejection of the legal underpinnings of some of Trump’s signature and most controversial actions of his four-month-old second term. The administration swiftly filed notice of appeal — and the Supreme Court will almost certainly be called upon to lend a final answer — but it casts a sharp blow.

The case was heard by three judges: Timothy Reif, who was appointed by Trump, Jane Restani, named to the bench by President Ronald Reagan and Gary Katzman, an appointee of President Barack Obama.

“The Worldwide and Retaliatory Tariff Orders exceed any authority granted to the President by IEEPA to regulate importation by means of tariffs,” the court wrote, referring to the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

The ruling left in place any tariffs that Trump put in place using his Section 232 powers from the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. He put a 25% tax on most imported autos and parts, as well as on all foreign-made steel and aluminum. Those tariffs depend on a Commerce Department investigation that reveals national security risks from imported products.

It was filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade, a federal court that deals specifically with civil lawsuits involving international trade law.

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While tariffs must typically be approved by Congress, Trump has said he has the power to act to address the trade deficits he calls a national emergency.

He is facing at least seven lawsuits challenging the levies. The plaintiffs argued that the emergency powers law does not authorize the use of tariffs, and even if it did, the trade deficit is not an emergency because the U.S. has run a trade deficit with the rest of the world for 49 consecutive years.

Trump imposed tariffs on most of the countries in the world in an effort to reverse America’s massive and long-standing trade deficits. He earlier plastered levies on imports from Canada, China and Mexico to combat the illegal flow of immigrants and the synthetic opioids across the U.S. border.

His administration argues that courts approved then-President Richard Nixon’s emergency use of tariffs in 1971, and that only Congress, and not the courts, can determine the “political” question of whether the president’s rationale for declaring an emergency complies with the law.

Trump’s Liberation Day tariffs shook global financial markets and led many economists to downgrade the outlook for U.S. economic growth. So far, though, the tariffs appear to have had little impact on the world’s largest economy.

The lawsuit was filed by a group of small businesses, including a wine importer, V.O.S. Selections, whose owner has said the tariffs are having a major impact and his company may not survive.

A dozen states also filed suit, led by Oregon. “This ruling reaffirms that our laws matter, and that trade decisions can’t be made on the president’s whim,” Attorney General Dan Rayfield said.

Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, said the tariffs had “jacked up prices on groceries and cars, threatened shortages of essential goods and wrecked supply chains for American businesses large and small.″

Associated Press writers Zeke Miller and Paul Wiseman contributed to this story.

Puttanesca is a spicy dish from the poorest part of Rome

By Cathy Thomas | Correspondent

According to Anna Del Conte, Italian-born British food writer, Spaghetti Puttanesca is a dish with roots in the poorest district of Rome, the Trastevere. The recipe for this quick-to-prepare, spicy pasta is included in Del Conte’s newest book, “Classic Italian Recipes” (Hamlyn).

The book contains 75 signature dishes packed into a petite size, the tiny tome measuring only 5 1/2-by-7 inches. It would be perfect to tuck into a suitcase and take to Italy when accommodations feature a kitchen. Or on a visit to a friend’s home when Italian cooking might be the gameplan.

Spaghetti Puttanesca

Yield: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided use

One 14 1/2-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes, chopped; see cook’s notes

Salt

14 ounces dried spaghetti

1 to 2 small, dried chilies, such as Japones chilies, seeds removed, chopped; see cook’s notes

6 anchovy filets packed in olive oil, drained, chopped

3 garlic cloves, chopped

3 pitted Kalamata olives, sliced

1 tablespoon drained capers

2 tablespoons chopped flat-leafed parsley

Cook’s notes: The easiest way to “chop” canned tomatoes is to squeeze them hard enough to break them into pieces, one at a time over a pan or bowl using clean hands. Japones chiles, also known as Santaka or Hontaka peppers, are small, slender, bright red, and spicy dried chili peppers, popular in Asian, Latin American, and Caribbean cuisines. I prefer using one chili rather than two, but the choice is yours.

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat 1/2 tablespoon olive in a saucepan on medium-high heat. Add tomatoes and sauté for 3 minutes.

2. Cook spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, tender but still slightly firm to the bite. Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil in a large, deep skillet on medium-high heat. Add chili(s), anchovies, and garlic. Fry gently for 2 minutes, turning down heat if needed, smashing the anchovies into a paste with a fork. Spoon in the tomatoes and add the olives and capers. Cook for 2 minutes.

3. When spaghetti is cooked, drain it and turn it into the skillet. Fry for 2 minutes, tossing frequently, and sprinkle with parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve.

Source: Adapted from “Classic Italian Recipes” by Anna Del Conte (Hamlyn)

Award-winning food writer Cathy Thomas has written three cookbooks, including “50 Best Plants on the Planet.” Follow her at CathyThomasCooks.com.

Fired federal tech staffers file retaliation claim to a panel whose chairwoman Trump also fired

By FATIMA HUSSEIN, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — A group of roughly 80 fired federal employees on Wednesday appealed their terminations to an administrative body in charge of protecting the rights of federal employees from partisan political practices. Notably, that board’s chairwoman was also recently fired by President Donald Trump.

The 18F employees, who worked on technology projects such as the IRS’ Direct File, filed an appeal at the Merit Systems Protection Board against the General Services Administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.

They claim they were identified in February for a reduction-in-force because of their “perceived political affiliations or beliefs,” as well as “protected speech and actions supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and actions to resist and blow the whistle on management’s improper handling and transition of control concerning sensitive data and systems.”

In February, billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk posted on his social media site that he had “deleted” 18F. Musk was responding to a post by an X user who called 18F “far left” and mused that Direct File “puts the government in charge” of preparing people’s taxes. “That group has been deleted,” Musk wrote.

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The appeal documents state that the employees were removed from federal service “through a purported RIF because they were perceived to be left-wing, radical, or affiliated with DEI activities,” which “abuses the laws and regulations governing RIFs to punish perceived political opponents and to coerce conformity with their values and political positions, and violates federal civil rights statutes.”

One of the MSPB’s primary functions is to protect federal workers against partisan politics and other prohibited personnel practices by adjudicating employee appeals, according to the board’s website.

The workers’ complaint comes after the Supreme Court cleared the way for Trump to fire the head of the board, Cathy Harris, while a lawsuit plays out.

According to the MSPB website, as of April 9, Acting Chairman Henry Kerner is the sole serving board member, and the board is currently without a quorum to vote on petitions for review.

A White House official did not respond to an Associated Press request for comment.

How quickly can 49ers get wide receiver Jordan Watkins up to his 4.37-second speed?

Rookie initiations rarely translate to immediate impacts from 49ers’ wide receivers, as Jordan Watkins has already heard.

“They kind of spoke to me about what it takes to be a 49er, especially as a rookie in Coach (Kyle) Shanahan’s system. It’s going to be tough,” Watkins said last month, minutes after becoming a fourth-round draft pick.

This is Shanahan’s ninth year leading the 49ers, and the 49ers have drafted 13 wide receivers in that span. Career paths have varied, after a rigorous onboarding process that demands rookies learn and execute every detail, with versatility to boot.

Now, with organized team activities underway this week, Watkins must find a way to emerge from a 12-man unit. His 4.37-second speed in the 40-yard dash should help, so should his five years of experience in the collegiate ranks.

The 49ers could bolster their receiving corps by adding a veteran next week, when it helps their 2026 compensatory-pick formula. But this offseason’s emphasis has been to get younger, faster and cheaper, so players like Watkins can be groomed as the next wave of homegrown stars.

“It’s going to be hard to be able to work my way up onto the field as a rookie,” Watkins added. “But I think the thing that makes San Francisco very special is that they really care about football there. And they told me that if you care about football and you love football, then you’re going to fit in great here.”

Some excelled right away, such as Deebo Samuel (2019) and Brandon Aiyuk (2020). Others’ entry paths got sidetracked by injury, such as 2019 camp phenom Jalen Hurd and 2024 top pick Ricky Pearsall, the latter of whom was limited in his rookie year OTAs and wore a no-contact jersey because of a repeatedly dislocated shoulder.

At age 23, Watkins isn’t a raw project, and he’s only 13 ½ months younger than Brock Purdy. Watkins’ 5-foot-11, 196-pound frame may not seem daunting, but it resembles what Shanahan often seeks, especially for slot-receiver duties.

The 49ers’ depth chart, if all are healthy, might read: Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, Pearsall, Demarcus Robinson, Jacob Cowing, Watkins, Trent Taylor, Russell Gage Jr., Terique Owens, Isaiah Hodgins, Junior Bergen and Isaiah Neyor.

Of course, not all will be healthy Week 1, and Aiyuk conceivably could miss at least the first four games on the physically-unable-to-perform list.

“There is going to be opportunity to be able to step in and make those big plays that are needed to win football games,” said Watkins, who played 60 games and caught 185 passes (18 touchdowns) over five college seasons, having transferred after two years at Louisville (his birthplace) to three seasons at Mississippi.

When it comes to production, look no further than his 254-yard, five-touchdown record-setter against Arkansas in 2024, although he also went out with a 180-yard, two-touchdown bang in his college finale in a Gator Bowl win over Duke.

If Watkins looks like a seasoned pro from the outset, he could help cover for potential early-season absences of Aiyuk, who is seven months into knee-reconstruction recovery, and Demarcus Robinson, who could face a suspension for alleged drunken driving last season. And don’t forget that Deebo Samuel was traded to Washington in March.

Here is how 49ers’ draft picks have fared in their rookie seasons under Shanahan ahead of this year’s efforts from Watkins and seventh-rounder Junior Bergen, the latter of whom is envisioned more as a return specialist:

Trent Taylor (2017, fifth round)

Rookie year: 43 catches, 60 targets, 430 yards, two TDs (30 punt returns, 281 yards)

Note: Taylor spent his first four seasons with the 49ers, and his rookie season was his best before 2019 foot surgery waylaid him. He returned last year, mostly on the practice squad.

Dante Pettis (2018, second round)

Rookie year: 27 catches, 45 targets, 467 yards, 5 TDs (9 punt returns, 27 yards)

Note: Pettis’ wiggly frame couldn’t escape coach Kyle Shanahan’s doghouse, leading to a November 2020 release.

Richie James (2018, seventh round)

Rookie year: Nine catches, 14 targets, 130 yards, one TD; (12 punt returns, 75 yards)

Note: James’ game-ending backflip in the 49ers’ victory formation was a staple of the 2019 team’s Super Bowl run. He peppered the Packers for 184 yards in a 2020 Thursday night loss. Knee surgery ended his tenure before a fourth Niners season.

Deebo Samuel (2019, second round)

Rookie year: 57 catches, 81 targets, 802 yards, 3 TD (159 yards rushing, 3 TDs)

Note: Samuel’s 802 receiving yards are second only to Jerry Rice (927) among rookies in 49ers history, and Samuel’s three 100-yard games were the most by a 49ers rookie. That set the stage for a six-season tenure that peaked with a 2021 All-Pro nod, and ended with March’s trade to Washington.

Jalen Hurd (2019, third round)

Rookie year: Did not play

Note: Two touchdown catches in the 2019 preseason opener turned Hurd into a mythological All-Pro. Back and knee injuries put him on injured reserve for three straight years. He never played a regular-season snap before his November 2021 release.

Brandon Aiyuk (2020, first round)

Rookie year: 60 catches, 96 targets, 748 yards, 5 TDs (77 rushing yards, 2 TDs)

Note: The 25th overall pick produced one of the most productive rookie seasons in 49ers history, ranking second in receptions, third in receiving yards, and third in total touchdowns. His fifth season was cut short last October by a knee injury.

Jauan Jennings (2020, seventh round)

Rookie year: Practice squad

Note: Jennings started his rookie year on the practice squad before a hamstring tear sent him onto injured reserve in late October. He’s since blossomed into a premier, physical player, culminating in a team-high 975 yards last season. He’s entering the final year of his contract.

Danny Gray (2022, third round)

Rookie year: One catch, seven targets, 10 yards, no touchdowns

Note: The speedy Gray caught a 76-yard touchdown pass from Trey Lance in the 2022 preseason opener, then vanished. He got on the field only 13 career games and failed to make the 2024 roster.

Ronnie Bell (2023, seventh round)

Rookie year: six catches, 13 targets, 68 yards, 3 TDs (10 punt returns, 70 yards)

Note: Bell had only six catches as a rookie but three went for touchdowns. He was waived last Nov. 29, two months after a devastating drop that foiled a Week 3 comeback attempt at the Los Angeles Rams.

Ricky Pearsall (2024, first round)

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Rookie year: 31 catches, 46 targets, 400 yards, 3 TDs (45 rushing yards, one TD)

Note: After missing the first six games while recovering from a Labor Day weekend shooting in San Francisco, the 31st overall pick tallied 31 receptions overall, and he racked up 210 yards and two touchdowns in his final two games.

Jacob Cowing (2024, fourth round)

Rookie year: Four catches, six targets, 80 yards, no TDs (28 punt returns, 245 yards)

Note: He was scarcely seen on offense (11% of snaps) and rarely targeted, thus inspiring what hass allegedly been an impressive 2025 offseason transformation. He also ran the 40 at the combine under 4.4 seconds en route to a fourth-round selection (see: Watkins, 2025).

Horoscopes May 28, 2025: Carey Mulligan, hesitation is your enemy

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Carey Mulligan, 40; Kylie Minogue, 57; Christa Miller, 61; Gladys Knight, 81.

Happy Birthday: You are in a better position than you realize. Hesitation is your enemy; your strength is thinking, calculating and pursuing what you want. This year, focus on progress; everything depends on your ability to navigate whatever obstacles you encounter. Change is the impetus for growth, creativity, venturing out and connecting with those who stimulate your mind and support your actions. Leave nothing to chance, and you’ll flourish. Your numbers are 3, 12, 22, 30, 36, 41, 47.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Pay attention to money matters. Look over your subscriptions and pare down to lower your overhead. Make room for something you want to pursue or purchase, but consider the implications and costs you’ll encounter to make your dream come true. Be realistic and honest with yourself and those you encounter. 4 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Think before you act. If you respond too quickly, you’ll make a mistake. Assess your feelings, stress and overall health, and consider the changes you can make to contribute to your life. Focus on your appearance, lifestyle and inner peace, and refuse to let outside influences steer you in the wrong direction. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): A vibrant approach will seal any deal you want to make. Speak up, bring about change and start implementing plans that contribute to your mental, emotional and physical well-being. Put your energy into what makes you happy, and everything else will fall into place. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): When your mind wanders and temptation mounts, return to reality. Too much of anything will cost you emotionally, financially or physically. Change may eat away at your better judgment, but the consequences will set you back if the timing isn’t right. For now, research the possibilities and shelve them for a later date. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): You are best to verify facts, get what you want in writing and refrain from taking on more than you can handle. Self-improvement, physical fitness and distancing yourself from those who are a bad influence will be in your best interest. Choose the path that lifts you and prepares you for success. 4 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Keep your thoughts to yourself, your money in your wallet and your reputation safe from anyone trying to undermine or take advantage of you. Play by the rules, stick to your needs and focus on what benefits you. Refuse to take a risk or give someone the benefit of the doubt. Protect and preserve. 2 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Keep your emotions under wraps and proceed with intelligence, a solid plan and the courage to say no. Knowing what you want and proper preparation will help you navigate past anyone trying to outmaneuver you. Make a move, home improvement or partnership a priority, and be sure to get everything in writing. 2 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Stay on top of matters that concern work, money and reputation. Anger won’t go over well with superiors. Use knowledge, experience and connections to ensure you have the backing you need, valid information and a clear path forward before implementing your plans. Prepare the applicable facts and figures to deal with misinformation quickly. 5 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Contracts, property investments and quotes will offer challenges. Leave nothing to chance, get a second opinion and prepare to walk away if you don’t like what you see or hear. Put more energy into professional advancement and expanding your interests, skills and qualifications to suit the changes and updates in your field. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): An emotional checklist will be necessary if you don’t want to appear vulnerable. Be a good listener and give yourself time to ponder what’s being said or implemented before joining forces with anyone. When uncertainty surfaces, consider moving forward alone or looking elsewhere for a better deal. Protect your emotional well-being. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Direct your energy on your target and fire away. Self-preservation and determination go together and will ensure that you come out a winner. Focus on doing your best, protecting what you have and exploring and expanding what you love doing most. An opportunity will arise if you attend networking or social functions. 5 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Take a pass; give yourself a chance to breathe and rejuvenate. Assess your situation, consider your options and expand your plans to include what will benefit you most emotionally and financially. Temptation is apparent, but so are poor choices, false information and people trying to exploit you. Set high standards and priorities. 2 stars

Birthday Baby: You are dynamic, friendly and popular. You are passionate and trendy.

1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes.
2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others.
3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals.
4 stars: Aim high; start new projects.
5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

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