Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 316

‘I probably wouldn’t even be here.’ At 28, she learned she had breast cancer. Then came the biggest decisions of her life

When 28-year-old Candace Frederick felt a bump under her armpit, she thought it was an ingrown hair.

Not long after, though, a bit of blood discharged from her nipple.

Frederick didn’t know what to make of her experiences, but she knew something wasn’t right.

She arrived at an imaging center to get a mammogram, but the staff told her that because she was so young, they would give her an ultrasound.

“They said if we see anything, then you will get a mammogram,” she said. “And then they called me back in to do a mammogram.”

From the ultrasound, mammogram, and eventual biopsy, Frederick learned she had calcifications on one side and a tumor on the other. She received a dual diagnosis: Stage 3, invasive cancer, in one breast and Stage 0, an early form of cancer, in the other. An oncologist came up with a treatment plan: the removal of her lump and some radiation.

But then, something happened that changed everything: Frederick underwent genetic testing.

Cancer survivor Candace Frederick, right, dances at her remission party in her Miramar, Florida, backyard on Saturday. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)The role of genetic testing

Genetic testing is done with blood, saliva, or cheek swabs and analyzes a person’s DNA for gene mutations that increase the risk of developing diseases. The past decade has seen a rapid expansion of genetic tests that also inform patients about their risk of breast cancer and recurrence and guide their treatment. Anyone over 18, especially someone with a family history of breast cancer, is eligible. Newer panel genetic tests now look at a dozen or more genes, including seven mutations with risk factors for breast cancer.

“It’s a simple test, but the results can alter someone’s life plan,” said Memorial Regional Healthcare geneticist Tammy Adar.

Frederick had a family history of breast cancer on her father’s side. Her test results revealed she is one of 400 people with a BRCA1/BRCA2 gene mutation. Usually, BRCA genes prevent breast cancer by helping to repair DNA breaks that can lead to cancer and tumor growth. When those genes don’t work correctly, it is called a mutation. People with BRCA mutations carry a higher risk of getting breast cancer.

Having a BRCA gene mutation has various implications:

You are more likely to develop breast cancer and more likely to develop cancer at a younger age.You are more likely to develop cancer in the opposite breast in the future.You are at risk of developing ovarian cancer as well.

Gene mutations can be passed onto and through men and women, Adar said. If a man has a BRCA mutation, he becomes more at risk for pancreatic, breast and prostate cancer. Adar said that genetic information can help guide screenings and treatment.

Facing big decisions

After receiving her results, Frederick needed to make some choices that would affect everything from her treatment plan to her timeline to have children, to whether to do genetic testing of her future embryo, to which family members should get tested.

With a cancer diagnosis and the knowledge she had a BRCA mutation, the 28-year-old revised her treatment plan, opting for chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, and then radiation. She also needed to consider family planning. The gene mutation puts her at a higher risk for ovarian cancer, so she needs to consider future surgery. Frederick had been in a one-year relationship and faced decisions on her fertility timeline.

“For someone with the BRCA mutation, it’s recommended to have your ovaries and fallopian tubes removed between ages 40 and 45,” Adar said.  “There are no good screening tools for ovarian cancer, and it usually arrives in the fallopian tubes.”

Frederick wants to have a family before that type of surgery and recognizes the childbirth process for her is more complicated and the timeline shorter. She takes three hormone therapy pills daily to prevent cancer recurrence and gets a monthly shot.

“I know I will have to stop my medication regimen that I am on and coordinate with my oncologist, fertility specialist and my gynecologist. We all have to coordinate to figure out how to make a baby,” she said.

Another complication may force choices, too. She has a 50% chance of passing the BRCA gene mutation to her children. If Frederick’s spouse or partner also has a BRCA mutation, their children have a higher chance of a genetic disorder called Fanconi anaemia. This can lead to shorter growth, a smaller head, and underdeveloped thumbs. It also puts the child at higher risk for early childhood cancers.

Again, she would have to make decisions.

“She could use IVF and have the embryos checked for a gene mutation,” Adar explained. “An embryo that does not have the gene mutation could be transferred to the womb, and the pregnancy continues as usual.”

Candace Frederick had shirts made for the guests at her remission party. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)Should everyone do genetic testing?

Adar says everyone should learn their family medical history. “Filling in gaps in knowledge can be critical,” she said.

If someone’s family history reveals cancer in first-degree relatives, it could be a reason to get genetic testing.  As a genetic counselor, Adar uses test results to guide patients on whether to notify other family members to pursue genetic testing, too.

Frederick says she has become passionate about urging others to listen to their instincts about their health.

Her primary care doctor had put her on a long wait list for an appointment, so she had asked her gynecologist to order her first mammogram.

“By the time it was caught, it was already stage three for me, and so if I waited until when I could get into my primary care doctor, what would my life have been like?” she said. “I probably wouldn’t even be here because the cancer had already spread so fast.”

Now, at 30, Frederick celebrated a year of remission by throwing herself a party. A behavioral health therapist, she credits her mental strength as the biggest contributor to her survivorship, even as the youngest patient in waiting rooms for her breast cancer treatment.

Her message to others is, “Don’t take no for an answer. Don’t let your age be why you don’t get your screening. Really advocate for yourself.”

Horoscopes Oct. 26, 2024: Seth MacFarlane, put yourself first and do what’s best for you

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Seth MacFarlane, 51; Cary Elwes, 62; James Pickens Jr., 70; Pat Sajak, 78.

Happy Birthday: Put yourself first and do what’s best for you. Focus on your health and well-being, physical and mental, and engage in whatever brings you peace of mind and points you in a direction that makes you feel good about yourself, where you are heading and what you want to accomplish. Don’t waste time and energy on drama or those disrupting your life. Be true to yourself and follow your heart. Your numbers are 3, 10, 17, 26, 33, 35, 43.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): You know what others expect from you and how to make it happen. Don’t mince words or waste time arguing over petty differences. Take the initiative, do what’s necessary and attend to unfinished business. Less fuss will lead to good results and less discord. Romance is favored. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Follow your heart, implement your plans and enjoy time with loved ones. Socializing, conversations and expanding your interests will lead to newfound friends, groups and activities that stimulate your mind and point you in an innovative direction. Turn something you enjoy doing into a lucrative pastime. 5 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Be open to suggestions, but you are not liable for someone’s poor choices. Research your options before committing to participating in something you know little about. An emotional situation will escalate if you renege on your word or mislead someone about your intentions. Honesty is the best policy. 2 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Size up whatever situation you face and evaluate the people involved before you decide to participate. You have plenty to gain if you are direct in your approach and persistent in getting what you want. Social and networking events will give you a platform to promote your ideas. 4 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Listen and refrain from making premature choices that can backfire. Find out what’s involved, how much it will cost and how you can benefit before you promise to do something questionable. Pay attention to detail and concentrate on personal growth, not propping up someone else. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Make up your mind before sharing your thoughts. A change may be necessary, but don’t start something you cannot finish. Ask for an expert’s opinion and determine what’s possible before you forge ahead. A minimalist approach is in your best interest. Protect your home, reputation and health. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): A change will prompt you to see things differently and make choices that can liberate you from debt or other circumstances standing between you and your dreams. Choose discipline over procrastinating and get things moving in a positive direction. Do what’s best for you. 4 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Simplify your life, concentrate on what’s important and offer peace of mind. Review and restructure your routine to fulfill your needs and take time to enjoy the people and pastimes that make life worth living. Travel, educational pursuits and living life your way is recommended. 2 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You can be generous and helpful without letting people take advantage of you. Stick close to loved ones and those who support your beliefs and goals. A partnership looks inviting, and love and romance are prevalent. Make a point to engage in conversations that lead to emotional stability. 5 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Seize any opportunity to incorporate positive changes into your schedule, surroundings or relationships. How you approach others will determine the amount of help and support you receive. Let your actions lead the way; your results will speak for themselves. Invest in yourself and what makes you happy. 5 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): The less you accumulate, the easier it will be to follow your heart. Refuse to let others tempt you with their plans. Set boundaries and protect against anyone trying to change you, how you think or what you do. Live life according to your definition of happiness. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Find ways to expand your mind, interests and cash intake. Invest more time in yourself and what makes you happy, and you’ll find a path that encourages you to offer something you enjoy doing for a price instead of for free. Trust and believe in you. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are steady, determined and proactive. You are insightful and creative.

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.

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Switching jobs? There’s more to do with your 401(k) than just rolling it over

By STAN CHOE

Job hopping is one of the best ways workers have to increase their pay, and a surprisingly solid job market means they still have opportunities. That’s great news for workers, but remember: Make sure you’re setting aside as much into your new 401(k) plan as your old one.

When a worker moves to a new job, they have to take the extra step of signing up for their new employer’s 401(k) plan and deciding how much of their paycheck to contribute. Otherwise, if they’re lucky, they’ll end up getting automatically enrolled into the plan and contributing whatever the employer decided as the default percentage of pay.

At nearly half of the 401(k) plans with automatic enrollment that Vanguard keeps records for, that default is 3% or 4%.

For first-time workers just starting their careers, that kind of contribution might make some sense, even if the rule of thumb is to save 10% to 15% of your pay. Many 401(k) plans will also automatically increase that savings percentage by 1 percentage point per year.

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But for a worker in the 10th or 20th year of their career, that could mean they’re suddenly contributing just 3% or 4% of their pay instead of the 15% they had been in their prior job. Even worse, for workers whose new jobs don’t automatically enroll them in the retirement savings plan, they could see their contributions drop all the way to zero unless they sign up.

The total hit to a worker’s nest egg could amount to $300,000. That’s according to a recent study by Vanguard, which estimated what a retirement savings slowdown could mean for a worker earning $60,000 at the start of their career who switched jobs eight times across employers. That’s enough to fund an estimated six additional years of spending in retirement.

The Vanguard researchers found that the typical U.S. worker has nine employers over the course of their career. Each switch sees a median 10% increase in pay but a drop of 0.7 percentage point in their retirement saving rate.

“The current design of many 401(k) plans does not account for repeated job switches,” the researchers wrote in their report.

How many people is this affecting? A little more than 3 million U.S. workers quit their jobs during August, according to the most recent data available from the U.S. government. Those are generally workers who wanted to leave their employer, and a big number is seen as a sign that workers are feeling comfortable enough to switch to another job.

It’s been trending down since hitting a peak above 4.5 million two years ago, but it remains well above its bottom of 2 million reached during the pandemic. The next update on how many U.S. workers are quitting their jobs will arrive on Tuesday.

A little more than half of all U.S. households have a 401(k) or similar plan or an individual retirement account, as of 2022, according to Congressional Research Service.

High School football: Monterey’s offense misfires in loss to Soquel

MONTEREY — The magic from last week’s late game dramatics, along with the adrenaline rush vanished. The reality is missing their quarterback is a punch to the gut for Monterey down the stretch.

With the uncertainly of quarterback Preston White’s ailing right throwing shoulder for the remainder of the season, the Toreadores offense will need a new look going forward if it has aspirations of a sustained postseason run.

Misfiring on all cylinders with a scaled down offense, Monterey never got in rhythm Friday, falling 32-6 to defending State Division 4 AA champion Soquel at MPC.

“We pieced together an offense last week to beat Hollister,” Monterey coach Alex Besaw said. “But I felt we needed to have a more balanced attack and show we have the ability to throw the ball. It’s a big responsibility asking a JV kid to come up.”

White suffered a dislocated shoulder injury during the first quarter of last week’s game against Hollister without being touched. He was unable to practice all week because of the soreness.

“We’re not sure what Preston’s status will be for the final two games,” Besaw said. “He didn’t even touch a ball last week in practice. He might not get any reps until game day. At the quarterback position, that’s hard. I’m sure he’s cautious.”

A three-year starter, White has thrown 67 touchdown passes in 40 games during his career at Monterey, having tossed 12 scoring tosses in six games this year.

“We tried to have a heavy run package with safe throws,” Besaw said. “We were doing our best to keep the offense on the field and move the chains. Soquel is really good. We didn’t have much of an answer.”

Monterey has dropped its last five games to the Knights, falling 21-7 in the regular season last year and 22-0 in the Central Coast Section Division II semifinals.

A member of the Santa Lucia Division in 2018, Soquel has climbed four divisions in five years. It will go into its battle with Salinas next Friday riding a six-game winning streak.

Both the Knights (6-2, 4-0) and Monterey (4-4, 3-2) have already clinched playoff spots.

“It’s back to the drawing board for us, looking at Palma’s film and seeing what we can do,” said Besaw, in reference to next Friday’s game against Palma.

The challenge for Besaw is blending his offense with the personnel behind center, as sophomore Bronson Gulley started the game behind center, with a package of plays designed for Kai Vaughn, who stepped in at quarterback in the second quarter.

Vaughn was forced to play quarterback last week when White went down, engineering the game-winning drive in the final seconds against Hollister.

“I’d like to keep working with Bronson and Kai as well,” Besaw said. “Bronson needs more reps and practice time. With Kai, I can go to the ‘wildcat’. We’re going to have to simply things on offense.”

A heavy dose of tailback Enobong Wirth only enabled Soquel to stack the box and dare the Toreadores to put the ball in the air, as their first two drives were three-an-outs.

Monterey was held without a point in the first half for the first time all season.

“My mindset right now is we know who we are and what we have,” Besaw said. “We have to figure out what type of offense we’ll be without Preston. Tonight was a tough test and we got exposed. That’s on us as coaches. We have to put the kids in the best possible position.”

Soquel, who is 9-1 since becoming a member of the Gabilan Division in 2023, was able to produce points on its first two drives with quarterback Sam Whelan tossing a pair of touchdown passes, including one on fourth down.

Before Monterey could get the ball across midfield on a drive, it was staring at a 26-0 deficit after Tyreis Lundy sprinted through the defense for a 54-yard touchdown run.

“It’s hard to keep your heads up when you’re getting your butts spanked,” Besaw said. “But there were some good conversations on the sidelines, kids keeping themselves in check.”

Despite spending most of the first half on the field, the Toreadores defense, anchored by Jayden Brown and Soakai Funaki, came up with a fourth down stop in the red zone late in the first half.

“That stop in the second quarter was awesome,” Besaw said. “With our roster, our kids go from offense and turn right around and play defense. Our kids understand the importance of getting off the field. We did a better job of that in the second half.”

Friday Night Football: Palma snaps three-game skid with win over Hollister

SALINAS — It was time for a program with a section record run of 39 straight postseason appearances, one that been challenged by growing pains — to step up as one.

Caution got thrown into the wind Friday for Palma, whose football season has been a case of painful losses in October, putting its section record playoff run of appearances in jeopardy.

“I talked about that with my coaches all week,” Palma coach Jeff Carnazzo said. “I said we have nothing to lose. We need to open it up and develop our quarterback. If we want a shot at the playoffs, we have to be successful throwing the ball.”

Sophomore quarterback Patrick Driscoll got the message, tossing a pair of scoring strikes in the first half, as the Chieftains scored the game’s first 25 points, snapping a three-game losing streak with a 32-15 win over Hollister at Rabobank.

Much like last fall when the Chieftains season was at a crossroads, the opponent on the other side just happened to be their longest running rival in Hollister.

“Last year’s win over Hollister was huge, coming off the forfeits,” Carnazzo said. “It propelled us into the playoffs. We’re hoping this propels us forward from here on out.”

The defending State Division 4A champion Chieftains, who had not started a league season 0-3 since the mid 1970’s, climbed into a tie for fifth in the Gabilan Division with the Hollister, where they will hold the tiebreaker in the event of a tie.

The top five teams in the Gabilan Division earn automatic spots in the Central Coast Section playoffs. There has not been a sixth team from the Gabilan to reach the playoffs since the league was formed in 2012.

Palma (4-4 overall), will likely have to win one of its final two games to ensure a spot in the playoffs. It closes the season with games against Monterey and Alvarez.

“Our morale was down after the Aptos loss,” Carnazzo said. “It’s hard not to be. We have a culture here of winning. The kids hear the noise in the stands, on the streets, in school. This week there was a sense of urgency.”

Three of Palma’s overall losses this year have come from Arizona state power Yuma Catholic, reigning State Division 4AA champion Soquel and six-time defending Gabilan Division champion Salinas.

Coming of a bye week, Carnazzo stressed the importance of eliminating the mistakes that have haunted the Chieftains all season and working as one to just get better as a team.

“This group stuck together and worked hard on improving these last two weeks,” Carnazzo said. “I felt like we got better in all three phases of the game.”

That includes special teams where the Chieftains got blocked punts from Aiden Lopez and Wyatt Deverick, with Weldon Chisum showing off his track speed in returning both for touchdowns.

Yet, it was the left-handed throwing Driscoll, who helped open up the offense for Palma, with scoring strikes of 83 yards to Cesar Mercado and 52 yards to Lucas Milburn.

“We decided to turn him loose,” Carnazzo said. “If he throws a pick, we don’t change what we want to do. Patrick threw the ball well tonight. And he managed the game really well.”

Dating back a decade, Palma is 8-2 against Hollister with five straight wins, including a 38-10 decision in last year’s playoffs.

David Garcia added a touchdown run in the second half for Palma, whose defense held an opponent scoreless in the first quarter for the fifth time this year, improving to 3-1 in home games this season.

Buddy Hield catches fire as Warriors coast past Jazz

SALT LAKE CITY — The rims at the Delta Center are regulation sized, just like they are at all 30 NBA arenas.

But any rim looks enormous for Buddy Hield right now.

Hield, who led the Warriors in scoring in their season-opening win against Portland, couldn’t miss against the Jazz. Through two games, he looks like the best version of a Klay Thompson replacement anyone within the organization could have dreamed of.

“He brings so much energy to the floor,” head coach Steve Kerr said of Hield. “Part of it is the way he plays, seeking those 3s and sprinting the floor. He runs so hard, both directions. Sets the tone for us.”

Hield finished with a game-high 27 points on 10-for-14 shooting (including seven 3s) in just 20 minutes off the bench. The guard also added six assists, four rebounds and a steal. He has scored 49 points in 35 minutes as a Warrior, going 12-for-13 from behind the arc to key two blowout victories to start the season.

Behind Hield’s outburst, the Warriors (2-0) smothered Utah, 127-86, with relentless defense and rebounding. Andrew Wiggins chipped in a career-high 13 boards and the Warriors limited the Jazz to 32% shooting. Golden State forced live-ball turnovers, caused several tie-ups, applied full-court ball pressure at times, grinded the Jazz into aimless possessions.

“I think the overall athleticism of this team stands out to me,” Kerr said. “We didn’t have that last year. On-ball pressure. Adding De’Anthony and obviously a healthy Gary. But Wiggs and JK are both big and athletic. Kyle’s an incredible defender…up and down the roster, we’ve got great defenders.”

The Warriors’ margin of victory through two games is the biggest in NBA history. Their bench has scored 150 combined points, including 80 on Friday, which is also a first for any team in its first two contests.

The Warriors stuck with their starting lineup of Steph Curry, Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, Draymond Green and Trayce Jackson-Davis, expecting to give that unit some runway to start the season. It struggled in the first game against Portland, and again stumbled from the tipoff.

Against the Blazers, the Warriors starters fell behind 12-3. Against Utah, they quickly went down 13-6 before Steve Kerr substituted Gary Payton II in for Jackson-Davis. The spacing concerns that particular unit has once again came to fruition.

But the Warriors’ bench, expected to be its strength, picked up the slack for a second straight game. They’ve now scored 150 bench points through two contests, including 80 on Friday night.

Payton helped key a 14-2 run with a pair of steals and by forcing a jump ball. Buddy Hield drilled two 3-pointers, Curry added another and Golden State turned defense into fast breaks.

As all 12 Warriors touched the court in the first quarter, Golden State extended its run to 21-5 to close the period and take a 32-24 lead. An intensified defensive and rebounding effort limited Utah to two made field goals in over five minutes.

“We knew Markkanen was going to be a huge key for us,” center Trayce Jackson-Davis said postgame. “I think (Green) really set the tone with physicality on him. We just followed, tried to stay in the gaps. Closed on a few guys, got them out of rhythm — like (Jordan) Clarkson.”

Then Hield took over, scoring or assisting on the last seven Warriors buckets of the half.

Hield dropped 16 in the second quarter alone, registering 24 points in his first 14 minutes. He leaked out on fast breaks, spaced the floor, and was money from anywhere around the arc. At half, he was 9-for-11 from the field and 6-for-7 from deep.

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Despite leading the league in 3-point makes over the last five seasons, Hield has bounced around. But the Warriors’ system is perfect for him. He’d admired Golden State’s system from afar for years, and has said he “studied the hell” out of Curry. After the opener, he said this is the freest it felt since he starred at Oklahoma.

He’s not the superstar he was in college, but for stretches — like in the second period — everything can orbit around him just like when he was a Sooner.

Hield’s inferno put the Warriors up 56-42 at halftime, and they wouldn’t relinquish the advantage. The same lineup that started the game slow blitzed Utah for a 13-3 run to start the second half. Similar to the opener, the group was much better at turning defense into offense and Curry found a rhythm offensively.

“I think what you’ll start to see is we’ll be able to settle in more offensively,” Green said postgame. “We’re coming out in that first quarter and everybody’s just trying to go, go, go. Because we want that lineup to do well so bad. And so everybody’s kind of coming out pressing. Then once we settle down, that lineup takes over. Our size, our athleticism, we’re attacking the rim, getting kickout 3s.”

When Hield checked back in, Golden State staked a 24-point lead. He quickly added two assists — one that capped a gorgeous possession and an extra pass to Brandin Podziemski for 3. Like Thompson for years, the threat of Hield’s shooting bended Utah’s defensive shell. Hield’s fifth assist of the game was a left-handed swing to Curry on the wing for another triple.

That’s a pass Hield has worked on his entire life, he said, and one he got scolded for attempting while growing up in the Bahamas. But now, after years of honing the movement and building strength, he can execute it.

“I got it from watching (Curry), low key,” Hield said.

Hield’s seventh trey of the game gave the Warriors a 94-67 lead. Golden State was just being cruel by that point. It was Hield’s 12th 3-pointer in his first two games — an NBA record for a player with a new team.

The Warriors’ cumulative margin of victory through two games this season is now 77.

With a true 12-man rotation, Golden State wore down its opponent once again. The Blazers and Jazz aren’t threats to make the postseason this season, but the Warriors easily handled each. The true tests are yet to come, but it’d be hard to draw up a more encouraging start to the season than the Warriors’ two victories.

“We couldn’t have imagined this,” Kerr said. “Winning two road games in the manner we did, the guys defending the way they did, the energy, the connection, supporting each other. Nobody really playing that many minutes but everybody kind of fueling each other. It’s fun to watch.”

Man fatally shot in Carmel by police

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has identified James Marshall, 27, as the man fatally shot by police Friday in Carmel.

The officer-involved shooting took place on Monte Verde south of 8th Avenue according to the Sheriff’s Office. The investigation has been turned over the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office.

Horoscopes Oct. 25, 2024: Katy Perry, watch how you earn and handle money

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Ciara, 39; Katy Perry, 40; Josh Henderson, 43; Persia White, 52.

Happy Birthday: Watch how you earn and handle your money. Changing your routine, budget, investments and qualifications will help you establish a path to less stress. Choosing a lifestyle that suits your personality and reflects what life means to you will lead to peace of mind and a chance to relax and enjoy the freedom of living your way. Personal growth, love and happiness are yours to discover. Your numbers are 2, 14, 19, 26, 33, 38, 44.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Don’t expect others to do things your way; temper your anger when things aren’t to your liking. Do it yourself, and you’ll be happy with the results and avoid altercations sparked by criticism and complaints. Change begins with you. Look inward and adjust what you don’t like. 5 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Concentrate on whatever offers the highest return. Work hard, play hard and distance yourself from emotional drama. Overreacting, indulgent behavior and taking on more than you can handle will slow you down. Concentrate on what’s essential and satisfying to your soul. A change of heart is apparent. 2 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Make reasonable choices. Uncertainty and confusion due to what others say and do will develop. Sort through your differences and make lifestyle changes that add to your comfort, convenience and emotional well-being. Romance is in the stars, and enhancing your life with self-improvement is favored. 4 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Look for unique ways to stand out. How you present what you do best requires pizzazz, passion and persistence if you want to captivate your audience. An energetic approach will generate cash flow to help you advance your plans. Live in the moment, and something good will unfold. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Direct your energy into something concrete to deter you from getting frustrated and angry with others. Don’t count on receiving help, and you will avoid being disappointed. Turn a negative into a positive and show your capabilities, and you’ll outshine any competition. Personal gain and romance are favored. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Make plans to do something that stimulates your mind, body and soul. Entertain the thought of exploring a venue or engaging in an activity that encourages you to learn something new and congregate with like-minded people. Talks will lead to decisions and a commitment to something or someone special. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Put your energy where it counts and brings a high emotional, physical, mental or financial return. Put a savings plan in place instead of squandering your cash. Living on the edge will stifle your ability to reach your goal. Surround yourself with people who have something to offer. 4 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Listen before you respond. Make sure you grasp what’s bothering others before making a judgment. Direct your energy into self-improvement, creativity and solidifying plans you want to pursue. You are overdue for a change. Stop procrastinating; it’s up to you to initiate your next move. 2 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Pay attention to how you present yourself to others. Making a statement that honors your beliefs and who you are while outlining what you are willing to do is essential. Don’t let money slip through your fingers or be taken from you by a scammer or thief. Protect yourself. 5 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Pay attention to detail and finish what you start. Protect your reputation from those trying to make you look bad. Put your energy into personal growth and bring about positive change. Sign up for something that excites you, and you’ll meet someone special. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Slow down, gather facts and refrain from acting in haste. You require time to digest what’s happening around you before you weigh in with your thoughts and plans. Take the time to develop something that will help you advance and that you can pursue independently. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Get out and about. Sign up for something that allows you to network or expand your interests or circle of friends, but refrain from getting into something with someone trying to take your cash. You can have fun without becoming a follower or bankrolling someone else’s dream. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are curious, innovative and helpful. You are ambitious and charismatic.

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.

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Thursday Night Football: Last second field goal leaves Alvarez heartbroken in loss to Aptos

SALINAS — Seconds away from an historic win, a shot at redemption for Alvarez after giving up 62 points to Aptos last year — foiled by a last second field goal.

With the understanding that the postseason is still a realistic goal, the Eagles left it all on the football field Thursday, only to walk off heartbroken after a 37-yard field goal as time expired lifted Aptos to a 23-22 win.

“I let the kids talk after the game,” Alvarez coach Ben Newman said. “The kids are hurting. But there is the understanding that we’re still in the playoff hunt. The talk is it’s not over.”

The Eagles (2-6), who have dropped five straight games, will finish under .500 overall for the ninth consecutive year. The last time they posted a winning record came when they were in the old Pacific Division in 2014.

Yet, while Alvarez is still searching for its first Gabilan Division win, closing the season with wins over Hollister — who it defeated last year — and Palma would vault them into the postseason.

“The math is pretty simple, we have to win our final two games,” Newman said. “No one is blowing us out, which the kids see. That’s keeping their spirits up. We’re competing. But this was gut wrenching.”

Alvarez, who has dropped nine straight Gabilan Division games and is 4-20 in the last four years in the upper division, has now lost two games by a single point this year, and another by a touchdown.

The Eagles, who led at four different times during the game, were ready to celebrate with 1.9 seconds left when Jaylan Ward picked off a pass along the sidelines, only to have it ruled incomplete.

“The official said he didn’t have full possession,” Newman said. “I told him he had two feet in bounds. It’s on film. He just walked away.”

Moments later jubilation was met with heartache when the Mariners kicked their first field goal of the season to improve to 2-3 in the Gabilan and 5-4 overall.

“This one hurts,” said Newman, who is in his first season at Alvarez. “We should have won this game. Right now, it is just little things that are holding us back. We have to learn how to pull it out, learn how to win a tight game.”

Aptos has dominated the matchup since coming out of the pandemic, outscoring the Eagles 168-36 in the last three years, including last year’s 62-6 pasting.

But when Manny Marquez booted a 30-yard field goal with 52 seconds left in the game, Alvarez had retaken a 22-20 lead — its first lead over an opponent with a winning record in the fourth quarter since falling in overtime to 2022 state champion Atascadero.

“I pulled everyone together and said we have a minute left,” Newman said. “The game isn’t over. We have to stop them. Obviously, we weren’t able to finish it.”

On the heels of what Newman called the team’s best week of practice, Alvarez built a 6-0 lead on a Ramon Garcia 5-yard scoring run, and a 12-7 advantage in the third quarter on Edgar Chavez’s 8-yard touchdown run.

When Abel Bailon connected with Aiden Jones on an 11-yard scoring strike, the Eagles went back up 19-14 before Aptos countered in game that featured eight different lead changes.

“We brought some kids up tonight on defense out of necessity,” Newman said. “We threw them into the fire against an offense we do not see much of anymore. These kids held their own.”

49ers’ Brock Purdy focuses on Cowboys, not Dak Prescott’s paycheck

SANTA CLARA – Sunday night’s spotlight pits the NFL’s first $60-million-a-year quarterback against a 49ers’ counterpart who’s playing on a $1.1 million ante.

Yes, the Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott is excessively above Brock Pudy’s pay grade with the 49ers.

Once the season ends, with or without a playoff charge, Purdy becomes eligible for a market-rate extension that should vault him up to Prescott’s bank status. For now, they’re each quarterbacking three-win teams desperate to rebound from bad defeats and reboot title dreams.

Future fortunes are not on Purdy’s mind.

“No, for me, I had to play better against the Chiefs last week,” Purdy said Thursday of the three-interception, 28-18 loss. “For me, I’m like, ‘Dude, I have to be better for my time right now, for the Dallas Cowboys coming up.’ I’m always trying to find an edge to myself and my game, not thinking about what next year holds.

“We’re trying to win this Sunday and to get our record going up. That’s where my mindset is at” Purdy said. “I’m focused on my team and this year. That’s fine, and that’s it.”

Purdy’s 36.7 passer rating Sunday marked the lowest of his 34 career starts.

“If you continue to play like this, you’re not going to get the (money) bag like (Prescott),” former Cowboys star Michael Irvin said this week on Fox’s “Speak.”

Purdy is 2-0 against the Cowboys, having rallied in the January 2022 divisional playoffs and then pumped out four touchdown throws (three to George Kittle) in last October’s 42-10 rout at Levi’s Stadium.

Purdy exchanged pleasantries with Prescott after those games, but that’s the extent of their personal history, so there was no congratulatory (or “Thank you for re-setting the QB market!”) text upon Prescott’s four-year, $240 million extension on opening day.

“That’s a big contract. I love that for him,” 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir said. “But I practice against a $60 million quarterback, too. He just hasn’t been paid yet. He’s going to break the bank. Shout out to Brock.”

Prescott is coming off the Cowboys bye week, which he used to get engaged and eventually join Purdy in the newlywed ranks. Before that, the Cowboys endured their worst loss ever at AT&T Stadium, a 47-9 thrashing by the Detroit Lions on Oct. 13; Prescott failed to throw a touchdown pass for the first time in 10 games, and he posted a season-low 42.2 passer rating (17 of 33, 178 yards, two interceptions).

Prescott, in his Thursday press conference, described his start to the season as average, to which 49ers defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen said: “I wouldn’t evaluate him as average. He’s being hard on himself. He’s had so much success over the years, he’s always tough to play against.”

Purdy and the 49ers got tough luck Sunday when Brandon Aiyuk sustained a season-ending knee injury Sunday. While George Kittle (foot) and Deebo Samuel (illness) returned to practice Thursday, Jauan Jennings (hip) remained out, so Purdy is using all the time he can to enhance his chemistry with rookies Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing, as well as veteran Chris Conley.

“He’s gone in and watched the film and been critical of it,” Conley said. “We expect the same thing Brock always shows: he’s going to get in there, make those corrections and get better. That’s what he’s done historically and we expect nothing different.”

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INJURY UPDATES

Samuel practiced for the first time since being hospitalized with pneumonia two nights after Sunday’s loss; he did individual conditioning on the side Wednesday. Kittle (foot), left tackle Trent Williams (rest) and safety George Odum (knee) returned after a day hiatus. Defensive tackle Kevin Givens (groin) and kicker Jake Moody (ankle) remained out.

Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons (ankle) and cornerback DaRon Bland (foot) remained out of practice, as did kicker Brandon Aubrey, who is on jury duty but will make the trip and play Sunday.