Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 309

CCS volleyball playoffs: Salinas begins defense of title as No. 3 seed

SAN JOSE — It’s been six years since a high school volleyball team in the county has repeated as Central Coast Section divisional champions.

Salinas will look to become just the third program in county history to achieve that feat, as it was seeded No. 3 in Division I, earning a first-round bye after Thursday’s seeding meeting in San Jose.

The only other volleyball programs to claim successive section titles came when Santa Catalina won back-to-back Division V crowns 2016-2017, and when Notre Dame captured three straight Division IV titles between 2002-2004.

The Cowboys were one of nine teams in Monterey County seeded among the five divisions for the postseason, which begins on Saturday with first round matches.

“I feel our body of work over the last month is a better indication of where we are right now as a program,” Salinas coach Chloe Goldman said. “But after the first round, it’s anyone’s guess.”

The Cowboys (21-10) will open the tournament on Tuesday in the quarterfinals, hosting No. 6 seed Mountain View, who posted a 20-9 overall record.

Runner-ups in the Gabilan Division to Carmel, the Cowboys closed the regular season with seven straight wins, welcoming the return of hitter Indy Aguilar, who missed five matches because of an injury.

“Even though she’s one of our top hitters, she’s the best defender in the county,” Goldman said. “We’re jelling at the right time. We relied so heavily on one player last year. All these kids had to learn different roles, had to find their way.”

Having completed an undefeated league season with its first title in 10 years, Carmel was seeded No. 2 in Division IV and will await the Half Moon Bay-Notre Dame-Belmont winner on Tuesday.

Anchored by three-time all-league hitter Riley Imamura, the Padres went 21-4 this season, and were undefeated in the month of October.

Joining the Padres in the Division IV bracket includes No. 6 Pacific Grove (13-11), who will host Presentation (10-22) on Saturday at 2 p.m., and Stevenson (10-13), who was seeded No. 13 and will visit No. 4 Scotts Valley (18-9) at 2 p.m.

King City will be making its 39th postseason appearance in the last 41 years as the No. 2 seed in Division III, where it will host the Capuchino-Monterey winner on Tuesday in the quarterfinals.

A 10-game improvement in the win column this fall saw the Mustangs post an 18-10 overall record, finishing in a tie for third in the Gabilan Division behind Carmel and Salinas.

Champions of the Mission Division for the first time in a decade, Monterey (19-12) was seeded No. 7 in Division III and will host No. 10 Capuchino (18-9) on Saturday at 7 p.m.

After showing an eight-game improvement in reaching the postseason last year for the first time in four years, the Toreadores won nine more matches than past fall.

Cypress Division champion Greenfield was seeded No. 8 in the Division III playoffs and will host No. 9 Saratoga (16-6) on Saturday at 7 p.m.

“Saratoga will be a great game for us,” Greenfield coach Adrian Trujillo said. “It’s been a record setting year for us and feels great to host our first CCS volleyball game.”

The Bruins set a school record this past fall with 22 wins, closing the regular season with eight consecutive wins to capture just the programs second ever league title.

Palma’s first season of having girls on campus and girls playing sports has resulted in a No. 6 seed in Division V, where it will visit No. 3 seed Santa Catalina on Tuesday.

After playing their first eight matches with virtually an all-freshman team as transfers were required to sit out a portion of the season, the Chieftains closed the season with 10 consecutive wins.

“I like the first round bye,” first year coach Ivan Garcia said. “As far as the seeding, I was a little surprised at No. 6. We did close the year with 10 straight wins.”

Among those wins were a sweep of playoff bound Monte Vista and a four-set win over Mission Division champion Monterey.

Palma has not lost a match since Garcia got five starters eligible, including outside hitter Maya Giannini, who was a member of The Herald’s All-County volleyball team last year while at Notre Dame.

The Cougars relied on a 13-2 non-league record to get into the playoffs after struggling in the Gabilan Division, finishing 2-12. Both wins, however, came in the final four matches of the league season.

Salinas Valley Tourism and Visitors Bureau presents to Salinas Historic Resources Board

SALINAS – In its quest to establish a vibrant destination in downtown Salinas that capitalizes on the city’s history, the Salinas Valley Tourism and Visitors Bureau will be providing the Salinas Historic Resource Board a presentation on Monday highlighting existing assets within the city.

“I am informing the Historic Resource Board about the importance of understanding how a historic group of buildings and trains can create a point of destination for the region,” said Executive Director of the Salinas Valley Tourism and Visitors Bureau Craig Kaufman. “Regional heritage tourism is our mission, and it can create new economic growth.”

The Salinas Valley Tourism and Visitors Bureau and its supporters are continuing to educate the city and community of the possibility of creating a vibrant transportation center in the heart of Salinas that also serves as a destination that will draw visitors to the historic buildings and programs that encompass what is informally called Heritage Park.

A portion of the Salinas Valley Tourism and Visitors Bureau presentation it will make to the Salinas Historic Resource Board. (SVTVB)

Heritage Park is located at the Intermodal Transportation Center in downtown Salinas at the junction of Market and Salinas streets, and nearby National Steinbeck Center.

The Intermodal Transportation Center serves as a hub for train, bus and bicycle traffic, but it also houses the California Welcome Center and its Heritage Museum inside the Southern Pacific freight depot, itself significant in that it is the oldest surviving commercial building in Salinas, as well as other buildings and exhibits.

Facilities within the transportation center area include the First Mayor’s House, the Sophronia Harvey Education Center, the Steaming Ahead Historic Railroad Exhibit, the Monterey and Salinas Valley Railroad Museum, the Southern Pacific Depot Annex that includes the Friends of the Salinas Public Library sales site and the Southern Pacific freight depot.

Kaufman said the presentation he is making to the Historic Resource Board is a way to memorialize Salinas Valley Tourism and Visitors Bureau goals and identify obstacles in the past several years, contrary to past public/private partnerships that have created all of the participants who comprise the Heritage Park brand. Without a public/private partnership, the Salinas Valley Tourism and Visitors Bureau can not achieve its stated goals.

The Historic Resources Board was created in 2010 by a City Council ordinance. The Board was tasked by Council to protect Salinas’ architectural heritage assets for education, community revitalization and the promotion of heritage tourism, according to the city. The Board works to protect Salinas’ historic assets listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the State Historic Landmark Register and the California Register of Historic Resources. The Historic Resources Board also identifies historic and cultural heritage sites in Salinas which can be featured as visitor or local attractions.

The Salinas Valley Tourism and Visitors Bureau is seeking support that the city of Salinas and County of Monterey might provide to create opportunities for economic diversity to potentially generate revenues needed to grow a safe and healthy community.

“We are hopeful that the (Historic Resources Board) will make its recommendations to staff and elected officials about a mutually beneficial opportunity for economic development for Salinas as the hub for this regional approach,” said Kaufman.

The Salinas Valley Tourism and Visitors Bureau and its supporters have been focused on promoting and expanding regional tourism for many years and earlier this summer, released the Bureau’s 2024 Portfolio. It is a 60-page informational brochure showcasing the bureau’s progress in developing regional economic development programs through heritage tourism and is geared to everyone concerned about how to generate more economic opportunities for local communities.

Visit the Beetlejuice house in New Jersey — just don’t say his name thrice

Hira Qureshi | (TNS) The Philadelphia Inquirer

PHILADELPHIA — To celebrate the long-awaited Tim Burton sequel, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” Airbnb is offering a haunting experience at the Deetz family residence.

In the listing called “Haunt the Beetlejuice House,” fictional matriarch Delia Deetz invites fans to her home in Hillsborough Township, in Somerset County, New Jersey, to explore her paintings and sculptures and venture through the Afterlife in the attic for a special art class.

The Beetlejuice house is a replica of the home featured in the 2024 film, an Airbnb spokesperson told The Inquirer. It was recreated for Airbnb’s Icon stays, a new category of experiences from the vacation rental group.

While the film takes place in the fictional town of Winter River, Connecticut, Airbnb found “the best real-life equivalent in the quaint community of Hillsborough Township. The town has beautiful wide-open spaces and similar architecture that we think evokes the community of Winter River that fans remember,” the spokesperson said.

Folks can request to receive an invitation to book the house for 10 three-hour slots with up to six guests each. Submit a request by Nov. 4 to visit the Beetlejuice house experience, which runs from Nov. 16 to 27.

No purchase, payment, or booking is required to be selected. Selected individuals will receive an invite based on their answer to the question: “Why do you want to haunt the Beetlejuice house?” Invitees will have 24 hours to accept the booking request. According to Airbnb, each Icon listing displays a cost associated with the stay and/or experience — a visit to the Beetlejuice house is listed as free.

Beetlejuice House invitees will also receive a one-night stay at an Airbnb listing in neighboring Princeton at no additional cost. Guests will be responsible for their own travel to and from the Beetlejuice Icon, along with travel to and from their overnight stay. You must be 18 years old and up to book, and accompanying guests must be 13 and up.

Inside Haunt the Beetlejuice House

Upon arrival, participants will be greeted at the door and led to explore the interior of the home.

Related ArticlesTravel | Road trip: 7 things you can only see and do around Albuquerque Travel | Cash or credit card refunds now required if flights are canceled or significantly delayed Travel | The best places to go in Mexico to celebrate Day of the Dead Travel | Disney is doubling its fleet of cruise ships. What that says about the company’s strategy Travel | American Airlines is testing new tech to catch early flight boarders The attic features a model of the fictional Winter River, created by Adam Maitland, portrayed by Alec Baldwin in the original film. In the movie, Maitland and his wife, Barbara, haunt the Deetz family. Guests who say “Beetlejuice” three times enter the Afterlife and the Waiting Room, where artifacts of the deceased remain — think smashed football helmets, charred Santa hats, and a magician’s water-filled lockbox.

After a visit to the otherworld, visitors will participate in an art class, with snacks provided, before being sent to the nearby Airbnb.

“Due to some recent … ‘spiritual difficulties,’ curious entities have been creeping around in the wee hours,” the listing explains. “You can’t stay overnight.”

How to book

Request an invitation to book a visit to the Beetlejuice House in Hillsborough Township, New Jersey, on Airbnb by Nov. 4 at 2:59 a.m.

©2024 The Philadelphia Inquirer. Visit inquirer.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

SF Giants to promote head of pro scouting to GM under Posey: report

The offseason is here, and new Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey appears to have checked off his first box.

The Giants are expected to hire Zack Minasian as the team’s new general manager, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. The Giants have not yet confirmed the move.

Minasian joined the Giants in 2019 as the director of pro scouting following 14 seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers. In 2022, Minasian was promoted to San Francisco’s vice president of pro scouting.

Minasian is the brother of Angels general manager Perry Minasian and he grew up around the game as his father, Zack Sr. was a clubhouse attendant for the Texas Rangers. Another brother, Calvin, is the clubhouse coordinator for the Washington Nationals.

Posey said in his opening remarks as the new team president that he would target a general manager with a background in scouting, and Minasian has that.

There is plenty of work ahead in the coming weeks for the Giants’ next general manager: MLB’s general manager meetings are set for next week in San Antonio, a month before the league’s winter meetings in Dallas.

MLB’s free agency period opened Thursday, one day after the Dodgers clinched the World Series with a Game 5 win over the Yankees. Teams can begin signing new players at 2 p.m. Pacific Time Monday.

Pete Putila, the Giants’ previous GM hired to the job in 2022, is expected to remain in the organization under a different role, Posey said at his introduction.

Minasian’s baseball ties include being “baptized in” Dodger blue, he told this news organization during his first spring training with the Giants. His godfather is the late Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, who called him “Benedict Arnold” when he moved to San Francisco from the Brewers.

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Upon arriving, he stressed the importance of in-person scouting as some teams had devalued the practice, relying more on analytics.

“With as much data that’s available to front offices, there are some front offices that just feel more comfortable relying on the data and a scout rather than just the scout, which to each their own,” Minasian told this news organization. “I kind of look at this as a buffet. I want to be able to pick and choose what information I feel is most important.”

Minasian was one of Farhan Zaidi’s first hires when he became the Giants’ president of baseball ops in 2019. Now he’s Posey’s first big hire after taking over for Zaidi.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Road trip: 7 things you can only see and do around Albuquerque

I have to confess that I made many trips to Albuquerque to see family during my childhood, but I never really explored the city or the surrounding area until recently. Not only did I find some unique activities and places to see, but I’m ready to return and continue discovering its history and character.

Albuquerque, New Mexico’s largest city, is a 6 1/2-hour drive from Denver or an easy 1 1/2-hour direct flight. Depending on what you want to see and do here, it could be a weekend or a full week of culture, food and more.

Of the top five cities where visitors come from to visit Albuquerque, Denver is third (preceded by Phoenix and Dallas), according to Visit Albuquerque.

Here a few things I experienced during my trip that I believe are only found in and around Albuquerque.

1. Albuquerque is home to what is estimated to be the largest collection of petroglyphs in the country at Petroglyph National Monument with perhaps as many as 25,000 rock drawings here. Petroglyphs are rock carvings made when someone chiseled into the rock surface and these were likely made between 1300 and the late 1680s by ancestors of the Pueblo people.

Interpretive signs provide insights into what the various drawings might have meant, such as representation of a tribe or clan — or one of my favorites showing a macaw parrot is said to have represented “the complexity and development of Pueblo culture through trade and communication of ideas with the Mesoamerican cultures.” When visiting here, it’s critical to know that there are a few distinct sites to drive between for hiking around to see the rocks.

Tip: This 17-mile-long area is completely exposed, so if it’s sunny, you will be hot and you’ll need water and a hat, but if it’s cold, you will need a warm coat (and also water and a hat).

2. While no one is getting a college degree in a weekend visit, the University of New Mexico is the only place in the United States where you can minor in flamenco dancing. Visitors can see a flamenco dance performance — Tablao Flamenco is one example — and also sign up to take a flamenco dance lesson.

Catch a performance of flamenco dancing at Tablao Flamenco. (Mindy Sink, Special to The Denver Post)

The National Institute of Flamenco is based here and puts on summer camps and an annual Flamenco Festival in June. The institute partners with UNM’s Department of Theatre and Dance to offer the only accredited dance program in the country with a flamenco concentration.

Although I didn’t have expectations before watching a flamenco performance, I was deeply moved by this style of dance that has roots in Spain. Speaking with one of the dancers after the soul-stirring show, I learned it is “like jazz,” as she described it, which provides a one-of-a-kind experience each time.

Tip: Combine flamenco with petroglyphs when a performance is scheduled at the park.

3. New Mexico is one of two states with an official state cookie, and here it is the biscochito (or bizcochito, pronounced BIZ-co-cheeto). This cinnamon-dusted shortbread-style cookie is a local favorite worth sampling. At Golden Crown Panaderia, they also make a version with blue corn flour that is scrumptious. This family-run bakery thinks beyond the traditional with a green chile bread and a 24-hour vending machine where you can pick up some cookies anytime you like — the only vending machine, or “Cookie ATM,” for a state cookie.

Tip: Order a dozen of these because you’re sure to eat more than one.

4. The largest concave fresco in the U.S. can be found at the National Hispanic Cultural Center’s Welcome Center and Torréon. Inside this tower there are benches for visitors to sit and gaze up and around at this 4,000-square-foot painting, “Mundos de Mestizaje” by artist Frederico Vigil. It is literally dizzying! There are guided tours available of this painting that shows people, food, buildings, animals and more representation to tell this immense story. You can sign up in advance for a tour on the center’s website.

Biscochito is the state cookie in New Mexico and you can get them at Golden Crown Panaderia in Albuquerque. (Mindy Sink, Special to The Denver Post)

Tip: Plan your visit around one of the many events that take place at the center of such dance performances, poetry readings, live music and more. La Fonda del Bosque is the on-site restaurant for a weekday lunch or Friday night dinner.

5. If you’re staying at the Hotel Albuquerque or Hotel Chaco adjacent to Sawmill Market, you are an easy walking distance from many museums and the city’s Old Town, but it’s worth renting a car to take a day trip to Acoma Pueblo and tour Sky City. The drive there is about one hour, then the guided tour is another 1 1/2 to 2 hours long.

Acoma Pueblo claims to be the oldest continuously inhabited community in North America dating back to 1150 A.D. You start your experience at the Haak’u Museum and Sky City Cultural Center, which is worth your time to explore, and also shop and dine in the Y’aak’a Café, and then you pay a fee to join the tour. The shuttle bus will drive visitors to the top of the 370-foot mesa, where you are then led through the village and can take in the gorgeous views. One of the interesting things we learned on our tour is that this is a matriarchal society.

Tip: Bring cash to buy some locally-made items near the end of the tour.

6. At the Albuquerque Museum there are several galleries worth exploring, but one of them is simply called, “Only in Albuquerque,” and it is a history of the city. Take a few minutes to step inside and learn about Albuquerque’s duke, Route 66 and a lot more.

Tip: Stop in at the gift shop where you can buy many locally-made items, including Kei & Molly Textiles such as kitchen goods.

7. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is a nonprofit that was created by the state’s 19 pueblos. Pueblo is a term used to describe a tribe or a village of a tribe, and it is also used by some people in place of “reservation.” Each pueblo is a sovereign nation. Modern pueblos might include casinos, hotels and other businesses, as well as tours of historic buildings. If you can’t make it to any of the state’s pueblos during your time in Albuquerque, stop in at the center to see a live dance performance, look at (and maybe purchase) jewelry or pottery, explore art on display, or dine at the Indian Pueblo Kitchen.

Visitors can go on a guided tour inside the church on Acoma Pueblo, but no photos are allowed in the chapel. (Mindy Sink, Special to The Denver Post)

Tip: Schedule your time here to include a meal and to watch a dance.

Each of these places and activities can be experienced anytime of the year, but some also include annual events, so check the calendar in order to include — or avoid — these celebrations too. If you want to visit museums, note that a lot of places in Albuquerque are closed on Mondays.

Review: ‘Here’ has Tom Hanks and Robin Wright, very nearly human

A facile chore most of the way, capped by an odds-defying finish of some genuine emotion, “Here” comes from the sublime 2014 graphic novel by Richard McGuire and his earlier six-page version of the same idea, published in 1989.

Most folks seeing the movie will likely take a chance on it for other reasons. It’s a reunion, 30 years later, of director Robert Zemeckis and the stars of “Forrest Gump,” Tom Hanks and Robin Wright. In “Here,” they play an ordinary couple, Richard and Margaret, from their teenage courtship to what appears to be their 80s. How this is achieved, and how you respond to the technology behind the process, will provide the make-or-break factor in your reaction. Me? Well, my eyes have seen the glory of the coming of AI, and I don’t like what it does to the actors, or to a story’s human factor.

Like McGuire’s book, Zemeckis’ film, which he co-wrote with Eric Roth, contains its visual perspective to a single vantage point, with one climactic exception, of Richard’s family living room as seen from a corner. The front door is partially visible on the left; the fireplace is on the right; the furniture, the wall treatments, the colors and the years go and come, and come and go again.

“Here” is where Richard grew up, and where he and Margaret begin their adult lives together. He’s a talented graphic artist; at one point, he reveals his grand designs for a house of their own. But life has a way with obstacles. Straight off, a pregnancy at age 18 pushes Richard into a steady insurance job he does not like. He follows in his fundamentally unhappy father’s footsteps, avoiding his father’s alcoholism, while Margaret focuses on parenthood and does her best to ignore her own potential and desires, at a cost.

The house in the story was built in 1900; like the book, the film adaptation begins a little earlier, in 3,000,000,000 BCE, the primordial soup era. This phases into the time of the dinosaurs and the ice age, and the years when the North American plot of land, before there were plots separating land, was dominated by First Nation residents, two of whom we see undergoing their own courtship and life cycle together.

“Here” works out of order, mostly with tiny, overlapping vignettes. As with McGuire’s book, we’re often looking at images within images on screen. A rectangle in one corner might reveal a detail from whatever was happening that moment in the 1700s, or 1947, when Richard’s parents bought the house that wasn’t there in the 1700s. That rectangle might share the overall screen with one or two other mini-frames of action or inaction.

Benjamin Franklin makes several brief appearances. The grand house we spy through the ever-present living room window has its own stories to relay. The novel does not favor one set of characters, most of them residents of the house, over another. The movie version works differently, focusing largely on Richard and Margaret, and Richard’s surly father, played by Paul Bettany, and his bright, busy and finally stroke-addled mother, played by Kelly Reilly.

Hanks and Wright, along with the rest of the cast, undergo makeovers throughout. They’re de-aged or aged-up by means of artificial intelligence software from Metaphysic Studios. Zemeckis has been in the vanguard of digital effects for most of his career. How do the actors look here? Well, better than Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci looked as young men in “The Irishman.” But the aggressive deep-fake nature of “Here,” its actors’ faces overlaid with expensively finessed existing footage of Hanks and Wright at much younger ages, compounds the hermetic diorama vibe. Also, was there something in the way these performances were delivered, with near-immediate playback visualization of the deep-fakery, that led to some aggressive overacting? Watching “Here,” you wouldn’t know Bettany’s ever been any good, in any circumstance.

Also, the tone’s off, which is a directorial matter. McGuire’s graphic novel is a transporting wonder of dry wit and plaintive reflection, free from thesis statements beyond Ben Franklin’s observation (so McGuire imagines) that “life has a flair for rhyming events.” The movie lunges for your tear ducts and your heartstrings; the narrative hopscotch won’t cooperate and it’s not really what McGuire had in mind. At all.

Somehow, a handful of simple interactions between the older versions of Hanks and Wright cut through all that. Now and then a line comes along that sticks, quietly, as when Richard realizes he has lived, George Bailey “It’s a Wonderful Life”-style, preoccupied with money and worrying about “every damn thing.” And the ending, however shameless, works. But the book’s melancholy spareness has been replaced by a “Here” existing somewhere in a pristine, remote suburb we’ll call Uncanny Valley Falls, a few miles away from real life.

“Here” — 2 stars (out of 4)

MPA rating: PG-13 (for thematic material, some suggestive material, brief strong language and smoking)

Running time: 1:45

How to watch: Premieres in theaters Oct. 31

Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic.

 

 

 

‘The Diplomat’ Season 2 review: Keri Russell returns as an overburdened ambassador, but the show is a lesser version of itself

“The Diplomat,” starring Keri Russell, returns for a second season on Netflix. But maybe the real headline is: A streaming original you’ve long forgotten about is back. If that seems petty, you could argue the pettiness emanates from media companies that do little in their power to get shows back in front of audiences in a reasonable time frame. Network shows manage to do that within the same calendar year. “The Diplomat”? A year and a half. But who’s counting?

I liked what creator Debora Cahn came up with for the first season, drawing on her past experiences writing on “Homeland” and “The West Wing” and taking the best from both and weaving a sense of humor into its story of a serious-minded U.S. ambassador to Britain (Russell) chafing at the ceremonial and hosting demands of the job.

She’s Kate Wyler, forever disheveled and struggling to figure out this awkward turn her career has taken. Her husband is Hal Wyler, played by Rufus Sewell, and he is both her biggest supporter and the bane of her existence. A former ambassador himself, he’s the kind of sly dog who’s always playing the angles and then saying, “Who, me?” Turns out, he orchestrated this job for his wife, which is a dry run for an even bigger slot: vice president. Maybe.

Season 1 ended on a cliffhanger, with a car bomb going off in London, and this season picks up in the immediate aftermath. Guess who is caught in the fray? Why, Hal, of course.

The six-episode season is focused on what the hell happened and the tone is “intrigue” that somehow fails to be intriguing. Kate is a reactive rather than proactive figure, which probably says something about the futility of the work she’s juggling. But not enough of the storytelling this time out feels specific or detailed enough, and overall the series has lost its sense of humor.

Here’s what happens when there’s a year-plus gap between seasons: You don’t retain relevant information or even an emotional connection to the characters. There is a lot of time spent on how everyone feels about the death of an assistant who worked at the embassy and it becomes the centerpiece for their angst about mistakes made — and all of it rings hollow because, thanks to the show’s 19-month hiatus, all I kept thinking was: Wait, who are they talking about? Did this person play a significant role in the first season?

In Season 2, “The Diplomat” feels like the same show, but a lesser version made by different people. Too much is flatfooted, from the performances to the phony-sounding exhortations about what it really takes to preserve democracy. What a letdown. But more pointedly: What changed between seasons?

Things perk up considerably with the addition of Allison Janney late in the season as the current vice president. She arrives with a sleek blond bob and glamorously professional wardrobe and she might as well be holding a sign: Here’s the intrigue you’ve been waiting for. She may or may have to step down in the near future, hence, the reason Kate has been groomed to take her place. The two women have frank conversations about this and the show feels alive in these moments because Janney is playing someone with the instincts of a chess master and she’s given room to display emotions other than “intense.”

Allison Janney as Vice President Grace Penn in Season 2 of “The Diplomat.” (Alex Bailey/Netflix/TNS)

Their interactions lead to a pointed conversation about Kate’s distracted approach to hair and wardrobe. This came up often in Season 1 and the show is just repeating the same points by now. But I am fascinated that the women Russell plays are defined by their looks.

An actor’s appearance can be a canvas upon which we — the show’s creators but also the audience — project all kinds of ideas about who a character is. When Russell played a college student in “Felicity,” her tumble of long curls conveyed an innocence; it was a signature look her character then subverted by cutting her hair short. Later, in “The Americans,” Russell played a Russian spy masquerading as an unremarkable American housewife who would then transform, one assignment after another, with the help of various disguises.

In its initial outing, “The Diplomat” had all kinds of things to say about the expectations women face in the workplace when it comes to hair and clothing. Does one’s appearance become a performance? A form of armor or personal expression? That Kate continues to resist that part of the job could be interesting. More often than not, it’s just a gimmick.

“The Diplomat” Season 2 — 2 stars (out of 4)

Where to watch: Netflix

Nina Metz is a Tribune critic.

Horoscopes: Oct. 31, 2024: Mike O’Malley, keep the momentum going

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Justin Chatwin, 42; Mike O’Malley, 58; Dermot Mulroney, 61; Brian Doyle-Murray, 79.

Happy Birthday: Keep the momentum going. Refuse to let anger set in when what you achieve is the best revenge. It’s time to shake things up, make your move and own the path you take. Change your philosophy to ensure you meet your expectations. Take ownership of your happiness, and you’ll be free to choose what you want. An open mind will lead to a rewarding future. Put yourself first. Your numbers are 8, 13, 22, 27, 32, 41, 44.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Don’t limit what you can accomplish because you aren’t diligent about going through the proper channels. Do your research and be thorough. Evaluate your lifestyle and rethink the habits you implement into your everyday routine. A change is overdue; hit the reset button and revise your goals. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Set a path that suits your budget and intrigues you, and then start your journey. Don’t take on responsibilities that don’t belong to you. A change will help you recognize what matters and what you must learn and experience to make your dreams come true. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Simplicity and moderation are the keys to achieving your goals. If you overload your plate, you’ll have no room for dessert. Monitor your progress and designate your time and money to avoid falling short. Refrain from scattering your time and energy when organization is necessary. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): No shortcuts allowed if you want to be happy with the results. Focus on personal growth, self-improvement and positioning yourself for success. Network, learn from the best and creatively use your skills and knowledge. It’s time to put your energy to work for you; shift into high gear. 5 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Proceed with caution when dealing with domestic matters, personal finances and making promises. Your generous nature can lead to trouble if you enrich your qualifications to make an impression. A lifestyle change may be necessary if you aren’t honest with yourself or someone else. Do what’s right. 2 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Follow through. Stand by your word and act accordingly. Positive action will buy you a seat at the table and allow you to negotiate what you want. Refuse to let ego stand between you and long-term prospects. Uncertainty is your signal to decline offers, restructure and revisit your objective. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Let your actions speak for you and allow your mind to take you on a journey that enhances your chance to advance. Be cognizant of all the costs before you take on something that can shut you down before you start. Be versatile but sensible. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Discover the ins and outs of getting what you want or need. A positive attitude and creative mind will encourage success if you refuse to let anyone intervene. Trust your instincts and stick to your budget and plans. Your hard work will lead to precious moments. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Sit tight, wait, watch and decipher what and how to use the information you receive. Someone will exaggerate a situation or feeling to grab your attention or lead you astray. Don’t jump on someone’s bandwagon. Put your time, effort and cash into doing your own thing. 4 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Keep your feelings out of the mix at work or when dealing with financial matters. Embracing change will tempt you, but get the lowdown on returns first. There are options available, but speed, intuition and versatility will be necessary to ward off emotional mistakes. 2 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Stop before you make a mistake. Assess what’s happening around you and make an honest judgment call before you share your intentions. Your strength is your ability to assess, revive and reset your vision to meet your demands. Don’t change or try to fix what’s not broken. 2 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Be versatile and challenge yourself to figure things out as you go. Altering your surroundings will spark your imagination and encourage you to adjust your lifestyle to save for something you want to pursue. Sign up for a course, adventure or trip that expands your options. 5 stars

Birthday Baby: You are disciplined, engaging and intuitive. You are ambitious and entertaining.

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.

Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

Warriors sweep Pelicans in rare back-to-back before leaving for road trip

SAN FRANCISCO — The Pelicans were even more short-handed than the Warriors, having CJ McCollum, Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones and Dejounte Murray unavailable due to injuries.

Their skeleton crew couldn’t keep pace with the Warriors, even without Steph Curry, Andrew Wiggins and De’Anthony Melton for a second straight night. Especially with their best two players no-showing.

Draymond Green (14 points, six assists, five blocks, four rebounds and a steal) and Trayce Jackson-Davis (15 points, nine rebounds) outplayed Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, helping key a big third-quarter run. The Warriors outscored the Pelicans 56 to 34 in the paint, a stat that shows equally Green’s defensive brilliance and Golden State’s offensive approach. A night after Buddy Hield and Lindy Waters III lit it up from deep, the Warriors got it done in the front court.

Williamson had a double-double but went 5-for-20 from the field and Ingram was limited to just 14 points on 11 shots. Green had his fingerprints all over the game.

“He’s still one of the best defenders in the world, that’s for sure,” head coach Steve Kerr said of Green postgame.

In a rare back-to-back at home against the same opponent, the shorthanded Warriors (4-1) swept the undermanned Pelicans. Golden State pulled away in the second half for a 104-89 victory in its last home game before heading on a daunting road trip that includes contests against the Celtics, Thunder and Cavaliers.

Through five games, the Warriors have the second-best defensive rating in the league. They’ve made defense their identity and are convinced that new personnel and assistant coach Jerry Stackhouse’s influence can make them elite on that end. Green, as always, is the anchor.

“I spent all summer watching everyone talking about Chet (Holmgren) and (Victor Wembanyama) and what they’re doing defensively,” Green said postgame. “But don’t forget about Dray. I want to be in that conversation as well, and I think I’ve earned that right to at least be in the conversation. So every game, I’m coming out here motivated defensively to get back on the First Team All-Defense.”

In the first matchup with the Pelicans, Williamson went for 31 points on 12-for-19 shooting. Green vowed to make it tougher on the All-Star by meeting “force with force.”

Beyond Green’s work on both ends — he also hit three of four 3-pointers —Brandin Podziemski played another tremendous all-around game, finishing with 13 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Hield came alive in the second half, finishing with 21 points. Green also added a trio of 3-pointers.

Golden State’s ball movement started out much less crisp than it was in the first game of the back-to-back. The Warriors committed nine turnovers in the first 16 minutes of the game. A night before, they turned it over eight times total, dominating the possession game.

The Warriors’ turnovers prevented them from building a cushion. After going up 32-20, the Warriors surrendered a 16-2 run in the second quarter, with Steve Kerr taking two timeouts to try to settle things down.

New Orleans Pelicans’ Jose Alvarado (15) defends against Golden State Warriors’ Brandin Podziemski (2) in the fourth quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

After a back-and-forth second quarter, Brandon Ingram sank a 3 with three seconds left in the half to pull the Pelicans within one. But Draymond Green bounced an advance pass up the middle of the court for Buddy Hield, who raced with it for a buzzer-beating trey of his own.

So, despite turning the ball over 11 times in the first half, Golden State entered halftime with a 48-44 lead. They shot over 50% from the field and 47% from 3-point land in the first half, but allowed New Orleans to take 12 more shots than them because of turnovers and offensive boards.

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They got both areas under control in the second half, only coughing up three turnovers. Golden State opened the third quarter on a 17-6 blitz, with Jackson-Davis hammering home a pair of dunks, Green slashing to the rim for an and-1, and Podziemski rattling home a 3. And without having to backpedal after turnovers, Golden State’s defense swallowed up the Pelicans in the half court.

On the year, Jackson-Davis is 21-for-27 from the floor.

“Coach Kerr challenged me today, he told me he wanted me to play with a force and to run the floor hard,” Jackson-Davis said.

After Jackson-Davis fed Podziemski for a bucket, Pelicans coach Willie Green called his second timeout of the third period to pause a 21-9 run.

Golden State’s blazing start to the second half helped create a 17-point cushion. Williamson had chances to put the Pelicans on his back, but missed a couple point-blank tries and three free throws. After three quarters, Williamson was 3-for-16 from the field.

Green and the Warriors defense never let Williamson get going, and the Warriors never looked back. Hield’s third 3-pointer gave Golden State an 18-point lead five minutes into the fourth quarter before Jonathan Kuminga — coming off the bench for a second straight game — dusted Ingram to push it to 20.

Golden State Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga (00) fights for a rebound against New Orleans Pelicans’ Zion Williamson (1) in the first quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

The only moments of drama in the fourth came when Steve Kerr lost his first challenge of the year after starting 4-for-4 — all of which overturned fouls called on Green. Right after that, Podziemski picked up a technical foul for arguing a missed out-of-bounds call that he never touched.

Green picked up his fifth foul on a Williamson and-1 following Podziemski’s technical, then Kuminga failed to box out on a free throw. The string of miscues kept New Orleans within striking distance.

But the Warriors had enough composure to close out the Pelicans. Podziemski braced an awkward fall with his right arm after getting undercut by Javonte Green, but remained in the game to help seal the win.

“I think we’re built around our defense, no matter who’s out there,” Podziemski said. “Offense is always going to come when you have Steph Curry. I think our identity is built on defense and rebounding and getting out in transition. I think that’s something we can hang our hat on no matter who’s injured.”

Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green (23) takes a shot against New Orleans Pelicans’ Javonte Green (4) in the third quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga (00) dribbles against New Orleans Pelicans’ Javonte Green (4) in the third quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga (00) heads to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans’ Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (50) in the third quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors’ Moses Moody (4) takes a shot against New Orleans Pelicans’ Yves Missi (21) in the third quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors’ Brandin Podziemski (2) takes a shot against New Orleans Pelicans’ Jordan Hawkins (24) in the third quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors’ Moses Moody (4) takes a shot against New Orleans Pelicans’ Yves Missi (21) in the third quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors’ Buddy Hield (7) celebrates his 3-point basket at the end of the second quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors’ Brandin Podziemski (2) reaches for a loose ball against the New Orleans Pelicans in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors’ Kevon Looney (5) fights for a loose ball against New Orleans Pelicans’ Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (50) in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) smiles while on the bench against the New Orleans Pelicans in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green (23) guards against New Orleans Pelicans’ Zion Williamson (1) in the first quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors’ Lindy Waters III (43) high-fives Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green (23) after a play against the New Orleans Pelicans in the first quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors’ Trayce Jackson-Davis (32) comes down with a rebound against New Orleans Pelicans’ Daniel Theis (10) in the first quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors’ Moses Moody (4) fights for a loose ball against New Orleans Pelicans’ Zion Williamson (1) in the first quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) laughs with teammates during their game against the New Orleans Pelicans in the fourth quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors’ Buddy Hield (7) takes a shot against the New Orleans Pelicans in the fourth quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

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Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green (23) takes a shot against New Orleans Pelicans’ Javonte Green (4) in the third quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

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College cross country: Olivo leads Hartnell to back-to-back women’s conference titles

BELMONT — Chasing her own shadow for most of the race, about the only negative Roselyn Olivo could come up with is she didn’t break 19 minutes.

What the Hartnell College cross country All-American did, however, was shave 90 plus seconds off her previous career best on the 3.01-mile Crystal Springs course.

“My teammate (Andrea Villegas) showed me last year the work that it takes to get there to win,” Olivo said. “I tried to replicate that and follow her path. This year it was me versus my mind.”

The former Alvarez High distance ace set the pace, distancing herself on the hills Wednesday to win the Coast Conference women’s title, helping the Panthers to back-to-back team titles.

“I wanted to break the 19 minute barrier,” said Olivo, who was clocked in 19:06. “But this course is a lot harder than Toro Park. So, I’m excited about next week.”

The Panthers will host the Northern California championships on November 8 at Toro Park, where Olivo will be among the favorites in the women’s division in her bit to chase a second All-American in the sport.

Last year Olivo earned All-American honors at that state championships, finishing 13th overall, helping Hartnell to a Top 10 finish in the women’s division.

“I’m a little faster than last year,” Olivo said. “I still have some work to do. In two weeks, I hope to be at my maximum strength. Today was about getting into the right mindset.”

Joining Olivo on the top of the podium was Jesse Blanco, who won the men’s race, covering the four-mile loop in 21:32, helping the Panthers to a second place team finish.

With the Crystal Springs course starting with a downhill sloop for nearly a half mile, Olivo was cautious at the start before asserting herself on the hills.

“I was a little conservative at the start,” said Olivo, who competed last fall in the USA cross country youth 20 nationals. “Honestly the hills are not my strength. But it is what I practice on the most. I’m fit now. It felt good.”

Four days earlier, Olivo did a 13-mile run with hills out at Ford Ord as a training run for the conference finals, running with the men’s team.

“I think in her head she needed an extra challenge before this meet,” Hartnell coach Chris Zepeda said. “You want your athletes to have confidence in themselves. She stuck to her own plan and carried it to the finish line. There is so much more in the tank.”

Defending its women’s team title was the objective for Hartnell, as teammates Janai Orozco (4th), Jimena Hernandez (13th) and Cristal Baeza (14th) all earned all-conference honors.

“Today was all about winning a conference team title,” Olivo said. “We all put in the work. A lot of girls stepped up with personal records. It showed up this afternoon.”

As disappointed as the Panthers were in finishing second in the men’s division to De Anza, Zepeda is still waiting for his squad to put together a complete race.

“We have 10 days to decide if we want to win NorCal,” Zepeda said. “We still have to decide our Top 7. We have had 11 kids that continue to reshuffle themselves. The name of the game is how close can you be to your teammate.”

Blanco, who sat out last year after being a part of the 2022 team that finished fourth in the state, looked like he was doing a training run in breezing to a conference title, using it as a tune-up for the Northern California finals.

“It is one of those cool redemption stories,” Zepeda said. “He had to sit and watch his teammates last year. He didn’t make the best choices academically last year. But Jesse is doing everything right this year.”

One of the things Blanco has excelled at this fall is finding the time to increase his mileage during the week, averaging 70 miles a week.

“You have to make more of a time commitment,” Zepeda said. “Your race distance is four miles. If you are running three times the race distance each day, you’re giving yourself a chance to be in that top one percent. I want him to see success in his last two races.”

Despite finishing second, the Panthers had six runners earn all-conference honors (Top 14). Following Blanco was Giancarlo Mendo (4th), Alvaro Ruelas (5th), Elijah Melcher (10th), Galen Okamoto (13th) and Aaron Eldredge (14th).

Former Trinity standout Caleb Bouwens finished eighth overall for Monterey Peninsula College. Joining him on the all-conference team was teammate Andrew Moberg (11th). The Lobos were third as a team.

The Lobos women’s team also took third, with Mary Hooper placing 10th and Alana Gamino finishing 11th.