Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 323

Kids are spending big money on skin care. Some adults are concerned

Andrea Chang | Los Angeles Times (TNS)

Fourth-grader Naiya White knows what you think about her twice-daily beauty regimen and her Sephora shopping trips.

“I heard all you guys were freaking out about 10-year-olds using skin care,” she says in a TikTok video posted last month, standing outside a Sephora store in Grand Junction, Colorado. “So let’s go pick some out!”

Moments later, White is making her way down the hot pink Glow Recipe aisle in an oversize Lilo & Stitch T-shirt and sparkly green eyeliner, ticking off her favorite products in rapid succession.

“I’d recommend this avocado cleanser; it’s nourishing and gentle,” she says, holding up a $28 tube of face wash. “The mist is also a yes — it makes your skin look super glowy and it’s hydrating. This moisturizer is also one of my favorites and it smells delicious. The hyaluronic Plum Plump balm is a great sleep mask for lips.”

In conclusion, she says with more than a hint of sass, “For all the cranky, musty, dusty adults out there who think little kids shouldn’t be using skin care … get it together!”

Naiya, 10, is part of a fast-growing army of preteens who are swarming into beauty stores around the country and buying up cleansers, moisturizers, toners, face masks and, in some cases, potent anti-wrinkle serums, exfoliants and peels that are intended to slow the aging process in much older consumers. They’re showing off their multi-hundred-dollar hauls and elaborate morning and nighttime routines on TikTok, where the catchphrase “Sephora Kids” has been hashtagged more than 11,000 times.

The obsession with skin care among Gen Alpha — typically defined as those born between 2010 and 2024 — is leading to a windfall of unexpected business for the booming $164 billion global skin-care industry, which historically has targeted women, not girls. But cosmetics brands and the retailers that carry their products are facing a delicate balancing act as they navigate the phenomenon and figure out how to market to a growing cohort of impressionable customers.

“I don’t want to see younger kids using active ingredients, using exfoliating products, because it’s just not necessary,” said Shai Eisenman, founder and chief executive of Bubble, one of the skin-care lines most coveted by Gen Z and Gen Alpha consumers. “We have a responsibility as a brand, and that responsibility is not to sell as many products as possible.”

In June, cosmetics chain Ulta Beauty released an analysis of customer data that showed members of Gen Alpha become interested in beauty much earlier than their predecessors.

“While Gen Z females started experimenting with beauty products and services around age 13, Gen Alpha is eclipsing them by five years — starting at the average age of 8 for females and males,” the report said. “They also start more concretely defining what beauty means to them around the age of 11.”

The burgeoning skin-care trend, which Ulta Beauty began noticing in the last year, is “driven by the rise of new skincare rituals and trending products on TikTok,” a spokesperson said in a statement, adding that Gen Alpha overwhelmingly views skin care as a form of self-care and wellness.

Skin-care mania has divided millennial parents, many of whom grew up washing their faces in the shower with a bar of soap — if at all — and now are baffled by the multistep get-ready-with-me videos that their children are diligently following on social media.

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Dermatologists and estheticians say the unease is more than just the usual hand-wringing of an older generation. They worry influencers are pushing children to splurge on products that in some cases could cause damage to sensitive young skin, and are concerned the craze is kick-starting an unhealthy fixation with physical appearance.

“A lot of tweens and teens are now using anti-aging products, so they’re starting way too young,” said Dr. Carol Cheng, a pediatric dermatologist and an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at UCLA. In recent months, she has seen some patients arrive for their appointments with “bags of products to make sure they’re optimizing what they’re doing.”

“They’re using things like vitamin C serums, salicylic acid, really expensive products that have actives that can actually harm their skin,” Cheng said, referring to active ingredients meant to address specific conditions such as wrinkles and dark spots. Such harsh chemicals, she added, can cause irritation, redness, burning, peeling and stinging.

At CatEye Beauty Skincare, a boutique day spa in San Diego, girls are bringing in pictures of Korean women with so-called glass skin — a Korean beauty trend that refers to a clear and luminous complexion — and saying, “I want my skin to look like this,” owner Catherine Noel said.

“I’ve had a couple girls come in with very wealthy parents and they wanted a pumpkin peel on their perfect face,” she said. “That would be something for a 35-year-old woman, not somebody who’s 12.”

Amid reports and videos of unsupervised Sephora Kids descending upon the stores en masse, wreaking havoc on product testers and harassing employees, longtime shoppers have taken to the retailer’s online community page to post complaints, including one thread proposing a ban on customers under 16.

“I know that Sephora has basically become the new Claire’s for kids, and buying Drunk Elephant products that are full of actives and retinoids that are harmful to [kids’] skin is the latest Gen Alpha trend, but the testers are getting destroyed,” one customer wrote. “Everything from kids mixing skincare and makeup testers together to make ‘smoothies’ to opening new makeup packages and using them.”

The backlash hasn’t stopped Ashley Paige, Naiya White’s mom, from taking her to Sephora and Ulta Beauty a couple of times a month and filming their excursions for the more than 40,000 people who follow their joint TikTok page, @sparkleandchaos.

“Any video Naiya and I make at Sephora or Ulta, people have something to say,” Paige, 37, said in an interview with The Times. “But I feel like a lot of adults forget what it’s like to be a child.”

The duo’s first video, posted in January, addressed the backlash head-on, with Naiya instructing fellow Sephora Kids on how to behave politely in the stores.

“I heard they were about to ban testers because of us — that is not OK. Girls, clean up after yourselves,” she says in the video, which has been viewed more than 6 million times. “You need to be polite to all the people who work here, OK? You want a good rep, not a bad one.”

Industry professionals say an early introduction to skin care can be a positive thing if messaged correctly.

They’re steering young skin-care enthusiasts away from products with active ingredients and focusing instead on a minimalist approach centered on helping them develop healthy daily habits. The three basics, they say, are appropriate for any age: a gentle cleanser, a hydrating moisturizer and a good sunscreen.

That’s generally the protocol that Naiya follows, albeit with some extra steps.

“In the morning, I like to use my Bubble face wash and my Bubble Cloud Surf moisturizer and my Bubble tinted sunscreen,” Naiya said. Bubble launched in 2020 as a Gen Z-oriented brand, with eye-catching packaging in vibrant colors and bold fonts, and quickly caught on with preteens as well.

“At night is when I use my Evereden kids multivitamin face wash and Evereden kids multivitamin face cream — it smells floral-y,” Naiya continued. “Sometimes I use toner. I also use the Aquaphor balm under my eyes to help with puffiness and stuff.”

Gen Alpha already wields significant spending power and is expected to become an economic force in the coming years. Companies of all kinds are developing new products to appeal to the demographic, which is growing rapidly with more than 2.8 million children born globally every week. By the end of the year, they will number nearly 2 billion — the largest generation ever, according to McCrindle Research, which is credited with coining the term.

Ulta Beauty, which operates more than 1,400 stores in all 50 states, said that in response to greater interest among Gen Alpha, it has “expanded our offerings to include simplified, dermatologist-approved products designed for younger skin.” In its most recent fiscal year, total sales increased 9.8% to $11.2 billion, with skin care accounting for 19% of company revenue, up from 17% the year prior.

“We do not proactively promote skin care to Gen Alpha,” a spokesperson said. “As more younger shoppers engage with us, we focus on guiding them — and their parents — toward informed choices” including educational resources, ingredient-based guidance and age-specific training for store associates.

That said, beauty companies are routinely teaming up with entertainment brands and toy makers to release kid-friendly limited-edition collections.

Ulta Beauty this month launched two partnerships: an assortment of makeup, skin-care and hair-care items tied to the November release of Universal Pictures’ movie musical “Wicked,” as well as a separate collection with Mini Brands, featuring tiny $9.99 replicas of many of the chain’s bestselling products.

“All your favorite beauty brands are now cuter and more collectible than ever with Mini Brands x Ulta Beauty!” the retailer’s website says. “With over 68 different minis to collect, every unboxing is a fun surprise!”

Bubble used similar playful language in its recent rollout of Bubble Charms, “the CUTEST way to accessorize your Tell All Lip Balm.” The lip balm “comes with an adorbz keychain” and “will make your crush text u back,” the company says on its website.

In May, Bubble announced a collaboration with Pixar tied to the release of “Inside Out 2,” an animated film about the roiling emotions of puberty that grossed $1.6 billion worldwide at the box office. The products included in the limited-edition Pixar collection were safe for all ages, Eisenman said.

Today Bubble has about 50,000 brand ambassadors who help promote the company, participate in its product testing program and receive special discounts and freebies; 20,000 of them are 13 to 18 years old. On Bubble’s website and social media posts, the company routinely highlights which products and practices are suitable for kids.

“Just cuz you saw it on TikTok doesn’t mean it’s right for your face!” reads the caption in a Bubble Instagram post this year that featured a three-step skin-care routine for customers under 13. “Great skincare can be super simple.”

“A lot of younger kids are using products that are inappropriate,” Eisenman said. “For us, one of the most important elements is to be a good force and an educating source in this space.”

At CatEye Beauty, owner Noel added a “teen facial with skincare lesson” to her list of services in March. The $120, 45-minute treatment is designed for people 11 to 15 years old and includes a double cleanse, mild exfoliation and, if necessary, extractions to clear out clogged pores.

“They still have baby skin,” she said. “I don’t like this trend of young girls coming in and using very expensive products, especially since they’re made for adults.”

Gen Alpha’s love of skin care is even prompting consternation among Gen Z.

At Larchmont Beauty Center on a recent Friday afternoon, eighth-grader Maren and her friend, Shiri, stopped in to pick up a pack of hair bands. The two are on the border of Gen Z and Gen Alpha, but consider themselves members of the older generation.

“Our generation is a lot more chill,” she said. “I feel like millennials are full-face and we’re just like, some makeup. And then the people younger than us are like: skin care.”

Calling the trend “a little freaky,” 14-year-old Maren said she knows of kids “who are like 9, and they’re doing the same stuff I’m doing.”

“It’s insane that like a 9-year-old who has perfect skin is doing a 12-step skin-care routine.”

©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Millions of aging Americans are facing dementia by themselves

Judith Graham, KFF Health News (TNS)

Sociologist Elena Portacolone was taken aback. Many of the older adults in San Francisco she visited at home for a research project were confused when she came to the door. They’d forgotten the appointment or couldn’t remember speaking to her.

It seemed clear they had some type of cognitive impairment. Yet they were living alone.

Portacolone, an associate professor at the University of California-San Francisco, wondered how common this was. Had anyone examined this group? How were they managing?

When she reviewed the research literature more than a decade ago, there was little there. “I realized this is a largely invisible population,” she said.

Portacolone got to work and now leads the Living Alone With Cognitive Impairment Project at UCSF. The project estimates that that at least 4.3 million people 55 or older who have cognitive impairment or dementia live alone in the United States.

About half have trouble with daily activities such as bathing, eating, cooking, shopping, taking medications, and managing money, according to their research. But only 1 in 3 received help with at least one such activity.

Compared with other older adults who live by themselves, people living alone with cognitive impairment are older, more likely to be women, and disproportionately Black or Latino, with lower levels of education, wealth, and homeownership. Yet only 21% qualify for publicly funded programs such as Medicaid that pay for aides to provide services in the home.

In a health care system that assumes older adults have family caregivers to help them, “we realized this population is destined to fall through the cracks,” Portacolone said.

Imagine what this means. As memory and thinking problems accelerate, these seniors can lose track of bills, have their electricity shut off, or be threatened with eviction. They might stop shopping (it’s too overwhelming) or cooking (it’s too hard to follow recipes). Or they might be unable to communicate clearly or navigate automated phone systems.

A variety of other problems can ensue, including social isolation, malnutrition, self-neglect, and susceptibility to scams. Without someone to watch over them, older adults on their own may experience worsening health without anyone noticing or struggle with dementia without ever being diagnosed.

Should vulnerable seniors live this way?

For years, Portacolone and her collaborators nationwide have followed nearly 100 older adults with cognitive impairment who live alone. She listed some concerns people told researchers they worried most about: “Who do I trust? When is the next time I’m going to forget? If I think I need more help, where do I find it? How do I hide my forgetfulness?”

Jane Lowers, an assistant professor at the Emory University School of Medicine, has been studying “kinless” adults in the early stages of dementia — those without a live-in partner or children nearby. Their top priority, she told me, is “remaining independent for as long as possible.”

Seeking to learn more about these seniors’ experiences, I contacted the National Council of Dementia Minds. The organization last year started a biweekly online group for people living alone with dementia. Its staffers arranged a Zoom conversation with five people, all with early-to-moderate dementia.

One was Kathleen Healy, 60, who has significant memory problems and lives alone in Fresno, California.

“One of the biggest challenges is that people don’t really see what’s going on with you,” she said. “Let’s say my house is a mess or I’m sick or I’m losing track of my bills. If I can get myself together, I can walk out the door and nobody knows what’s going on.”

An administrator with the city of Fresno for 28 years, Healy said she had to retire in 2019 “because my brain stopped working.” With her pension, she’s able to cover her expenses, but she doesn’t have significant savings or assets.

Healy said she can’t rely on family members who have troubles of their own. (Her 83-year-old mother has dementia and lives with Healy’s sister.) The person who checks on her most frequently is an ex-boyfriend.

“I don’t really have anybody,” she said, choking up.

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David West, 62, is a divorced former social worker with Lewy body dementia, which can impair thinking and concentration and cause hallucinations. He lives alone in an apartment in downtown Fort Worth, Texas.

“I will not survive this in the end — I know that — but I’m going to meet this with resilience,” he said when I spoke with him by phone in June.

Since his diagnosis nearly three years ago, West has filled his life with exercise and joined three dementia support groups. He spends up to 20 hours a week volunteering, at a restaurant, a food bank, a museum, and Dementia Friendly Fort Worth.

Still, West knows that his illness will progress and that this period of relative independence is limited. What will he do then? Although he has three adult children, he said, he can’t expect them to take him in and become dementia caregivers — an extraordinarily stressful, time-intensive, financially draining commitment.

“I don’t know how it’s going to work out,” he said.

Denise Baker, 80, a former CIA analyst, lives in a 100-year-old house in Asheville, North Carolina, with her dog, Yolo. She has cognitive problems related to a stroke 28 years ago, Alzheimer’s disease, and serious vision impairment that prevents her from driving. Her adult daughters live in Massachusetts and Colorado.

“I’m a very independent person, and I find that I want to do everything I possibly can for myself,” Baker told me, months before Asheville was ravaged by severe flooding. “It makes me feel better about myself.”

She was lucky in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene: Baker lives on a hill in West Asheville that was untouched by floodwaters. In the week immediately after the storm, she filled water jugs every day at an old well near her house and brought them back in a wheelbarrow.  Though her power was out, she had plenty of food and neighbors looked in on her.

“I’m absolutely fine,” she told me on the phone in early October after a member of Dementia Friendly Western North Carolina drove to Baker’s house to check in on her, upon my request. Baker is on the steering committee of that organization.

Baker once found it hard to ask for assistance, but these days she relies routinely on friends and hired help. A few examples: Elaine takes her grocery shopping every Monday. Roberta comes once a month to help with her mail and finances. Jack mows her lawn. Helen offers care management advice. Tom, a cab driver she connected with through Buncombe County’s transportation program for seniors, is her go-to guy for errands.

Her daughter Karen in Boston has the authority to make legal and health care decisions when Baker can no longer do so. When that day comes — and Baker knows it will — she expects her long-term care insurance policy to pay for home aides or memory care. Until then, “I plan to do as much as I can in the state I’m in,” she said.

Much can be done to better assist older adults with dementia who are on their own, said Elizabeth Gould, co-director of the National Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center at RTI International, a nonprofit research institute. “If health care providers would just ask ‘Who do you live with?’” she said, “that could open the door to identifying who might need more help.”

We’re eager to hear from readers about questions you’d like answered, problems you’ve been having with your care, and advice you need in dealing with the health care system. Visit kffhealthnews.org/columnists to submit your requests or tips.

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.

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Horoscopes Oct. 19, 2024: Gillian Jacobs, rely on your instincts

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Gillian Jacobs, 42; Chris Kattan, 54; Jon Favreau, 58; John Lithgow, 79.

Happy Birthday: Opportunities are apparent. Rely on your instincts, research and wariness of anyone pushing an agenda dominated by cash flow. Refrain from spending too much time and energy on people and projects that drag you down instead of building you up. Consider the domestic jobs needing attention and the budget, and look for cost-efficient alternatives. Use your skills wisely. Your numbers are 8, 12, 22, 28, 33, 36, 47.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Use your imagination to turn an idea into a lucrative affair. Projects you launch as a side business can help pay for things you want but are above your budget. Participate in an event that offers how-to information regarding developing your plan. Personal gain looks promising. 4 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Change begins with you. Take the plunge and try something new and exciting. Put your energy into adapting your surroundings to meet your demands. Whether at work or home, comfort and convenience will contribute to the outcome regardless of what you choose to do next. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Let your instincts lead the way and motivate you to change how you use your skills to thrive physically. It’s okay to dream if you implement a strategy that brings optimal results. Use your intellect and drive to find a path that suits you emotionally, physically and financially. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Sort through your differences with others before engaging in something that leads to upset, setbacks or loss. Use your imagination to discover a path that results in an agreement. Getting along is half the battle; becoming the conduit will put you in a leadership position. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Take a moment to scour the details before you do or say anything. A premature move will put you in a vulnerable position. Be smart, gather information and make yourself aware of hidden costs that can halt your plans. Now is not the time to gamble. 2 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Take the time to listen, gather information and restructure what you hear to fit your needs. Caution: Attention to detail, a budget and logistics will put you in a good position. Wait to present your plans until everything is in place. Travel, reunions and conferences will be insightful. 5 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Consider what you’ve been doing lately regarding earning, investing and adjusting to what’s marketable. Consider reinventing how you handle business affairs, money management and life goals. Opportunities are apparent, but it’s up to you to take advantage of them. A change will improve your health and well-being. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Finish what you start, and you’ll feel better about your options and making a move toward your personal goals. Added stamina will encourage paying attention to details that can save you time and money. A partnership or change of heart will play in your favor. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): A new look will be uplifting and help you gain confidence. The attention you receive will lead to exciting and lucrative information. Invest more time in yourself and how you earn your living. Love and romance are in the stars and will enhance your attitude, image and direction. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Whatever you decide to do, plan to have fun. Nothing is worthwhile if it doesn’t encourage happiness, something to look forward to and feeling good about yourself and the prospects ahead. Spend time with people who spark your imagination and bring out your best. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Refuse to let what others do interfere with your plans. Do what’s best for you, and take the initiative to engage in developing what moves and motivates you most. The time spent developing or creating something unique will be satisfying. Combine talent with motivation and success will follow. 5 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Uncertainty will wrench your plans. Adhere to the rules and regulations and proceed with caution. It’s best to work independently, developing something you feel comfortable with, instead of jumping into something too quickly and experiencing the burn of backtracking. Take one step at a time. 2 stars

Birthday Baby: You are questioning, adaptable and determined. You are enthusiastic and helpful.

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.

Want a link to your daily horoscope delivered directly to your inbox each weekday morning? Sign up for our free Coffee Break newsletter at mercurynews.com/newsletters or eastbaytimes.com/newsletters.

High School football: Wirth’s four touchdowns carry Monterey past Hollister

HOLLISTER — Earlier in the week, a package of plays was put in for Kai Vaughn — mostly out of the ‘Wildcat’ to take snaps behind center as a precaution.

Whether it was hindside or a vision, Vaughn found himself at quarterback for Monterey in the second quarter for the duration of the game Friday when Preston White went out with a non-disclosed upper body injury.

“I had a sandbox on the sidelines with some bottle caps and we were moving some pieces around to figure out how to get into the end zone,” Monterey coach Alex Besaw said. “Kids stepped into roles they weren’t accustomed to and played their hearts out.”

That would include Enobong Wirth, who rushed for 151 yards and four touchdowns, including the game-winner with 49 seconds left in the Toreadores unpredictable 25-22 win at Hollister.

“It was probably the best high school football game I’ve been a part of,” Besaw said. “The adversity we faced. To come from behind and win was pretty special.”

Adding to the celebration for Monterey is that it locked up a playoff berth, improving to 3-1 in the Gabilan Division. It cannot finish any worse than fifth in league play — the top five teams in the Gabilan earn automatic playoff spots.

“Our message at halftime was that we have to find a different way to win a game,” Besaw said. “That was the fun part about this. It wasn’t our style. We weren’t accustomed this. But that’s sports. You don’t know when it might be your last play.”

With White out for the remainder of the game and his status for next week against Soquel uncertain, Vaughn and Wirth began taking snaps out of the ‘Wildcat’, making the Toreadores one dimensional.

“The ‘Wildcat’ wasn’t going to win this game,” Besaw said. “Enobong (Wirth) and Kai (Vaughn) were taking direct snaps. We had to get Kai comfortable throwing on the run.”

Vaughn, who played quarterback as a freshman on the junior varsity, has been used as receiver and defensive back the last two years for the Toreadores.

“Last week I build a package around Kai just in case,” Besaw said. “Obviously tonight we had to stretch that as much as possible. He made some huge plays in the biggest moments.”

That would include the Toreadores game-winning drive, when Vaughn found Dakota Ordonio with a completion on fourth-and four at midfield to keep a drive alive with 1:59 left in the game.

Wirth, who was coming off a 43-carry, 208-yard rushing effort the week before, broke free on a run for 18 yards to get Monterey to the 1-yard line before he punched it in for his fourth touchdown of the game with 49 seconds remaining.

“To tell you the truth, I can’t remember the final few plays,” Besaw said. “I don’t even know if I was breathing. What an effort from these kids.”

Ironically Monterey was in a similar position last week when it had the ball inside the 4-yard line in the final 25 seconds, yet was unable to get it into the end zone in a 28-21 loss to Salinas.

Holding a 19-7 lead in the third quarter, the Balers (4-3) mounted a comeback by producing the games next 15 points to take a 22-19 lead with 4:46 left in the game.

That set the stage for the Toreadores offense to engineer a drive with Vaughn — who finished 5-of-9 for 94 yards — orchestrating an offense that featured a completely different look to it.

Not only did Monterey calmly march down field, keeping the drive alive at midfield with a fourth down completion, but it chewed up nearly four minutes of the clock, leaving Hollister with little time to mount a comeback.

High School football: Condors remain unbeaten in Mission North

CASTROVILLE — The distraction of homecoming. The increased attention and scrutiny on social media. Oh, and being undefeated in league play.

It only adds fuel to the energy that has been exhibited in football practices all season and in the locker room before and after games at North County.

“This is a humble group,” quarterback AJ Gomez said. “It’s a group that has bought into the culture. When you have trust between teammates, that’s when you are able to succeed.”

The celebrations in the locker room, with the music blaring to a different beat each week, reminds head coach Juan Cuevas that this is a loose group that plays with expectations rather than hope.

As the only undefeated team remaining in the Mission Division North at 3-0 after Friday’s 32-14 decision over Seaside, the Condors understand what lies in front of them, yet knows how much work still needs to be done.

“I’ll relax for a night and start looking at Monte Vista in the morning,” said Cuevas, in reference to North County’s next opponent. “I just want to go to Dennys and eat my flap jacks and enjoy this.”

Chasing the programs first league title in 21 years, Cuevas pointed out earlier this week that the program was in a similar position in 2019 when it was 3-0 in league, only to drop its last three games and miss the postseason.

“I feel like our staff is carrying the burden of the pressure,” said Cuevas, who was the offensive coordinator on that 2019 team. “It’s a different vibe. This group likes to be loose. I have never had to beg for energy in practice.”

Part of that starts with Gomez, a three-year starter, who Cuevas inserted three years ago with the intent on building the program around the multi-sport athlete.

In Gomez’s last two games, the senior has thrown seven touchdown passes to four different receivers, hitting Kenji Mellin four times in the Condors last two games.

“We don’t have any stars,” Gomez said. “We don’t get too high or too low. We have a lot of motivating people – myself included — on this team. This group doesn’t let things get into their heads.”

Which explains why playoffs and league titles aren’t even part of the discussion after games. Instead, the Condors are treasuring each win, with an eye on the following week.

“We’ve stayed locked in,” Gomez said. “I was a little concerned about the pressure or hearing the noise. But nobody is talking about a title. Just who is next on the schedule and how can we continue to get better.”

Gomez orchestrated scoring drives on the Condors first four possessions, taking them on mythical time-consuming drives in the first quarter that chewed up four plus minutes of the clock on their first two drives.

Poised on his rollouts, Gomez capped North County’s second drive with a fourth down completion to JT Islas, who did the rest by dodging tacklers to get into the end zone to increase the lead to 14-0.

“We’re not perfect,” Cuevas said. “But we have kids jumping at the opportunity to play. Our kids play hard and they are playing for each other.”

In between touchdown runs by Marcos Mendoza and Josiah Carranza, Gomez found Mellin on a touchdown pass with no time left on the clock in the first half and connected with Chris Rassmussen on a 35-yard scoring strike to stake North County to a 32-0 lead.

“It’s the same work we have been doing since I took the job four years ago,” Cuevas said. “It just didn’t happen overnight. It’s been a process, a test a patience and will. A lot of our success starts during the week.”

While Seaside has endured growing pains all season, it was coming off its first win of the season over Watsonville, rallying around a freshman quarterback and the Escort brothers.

The building blocks for the Spartans are measured in increments, such as quarterback Elijah Romero throwing his first touchdown pass of his career to Julius Escort, while Josiah Escort rushed for a touchdown in the second half.

The Escort brothers have now combined for 12 of the teams 14 touchdowns this season.

Gomez, who has thrown at least one touchdown pass in each of the Condors first seven games, is two scoring tosses away from matching his career best of 15.

“We know what our responsibilities are,” Gomez said. “The captains are keeping everyone focused. We’re out here because we love it. When you start to have a big ego, bad things start to happen.”

Booking’s Top 10 trending vacation destinations for 2025

Stargazing in the Chilean desert? Thrill seeking in the French Alps? Beach bathing on a Chinese island, anyone?

Booking.com recently parsed its 1,000 most-booked destinations of the last year to come up with a list of trending vacation spots for 2025 — and added some travel trend predictions too.

“The trends we see emerging for 2025 toss conventional travel aside,” Ben Harrell, Booking’s US managing director, told the media, “and make room for more non-traditional experiences that accept and embrace uncertainty.”

Some 27% of the Booking survey respondents now view airports as destinations of their own, not just travel hubs. (There’s a glass-half-full approach to the airline delays and cancellations that have plagued post-pandemic travel.)

Also trending are what Booking calls “boomer SKI trips” (45%) — that’s an acronym for  “Spend the Kids’ Inheritance” on epic travel. (They might simply have called it “YOLO too!” — it’s less rage-baity, for one thing, plus the very next sentence in the report says that 77% to 81% of those boomers are bringing their kids and grandkids along for the ride.)

Travelers will be looking for ways to beat the heat (54%) in 2025, either via location — hello, northern Norway — or nocturnal recreation, including stargazing, aurora chasing and nightlife. And 67% plan to head for less crowded destinations in popular parts of the world.

Hence the list of trending destinations for 2025, which includes, for example, Sanya (No. 1) on China’s tropical Hainan Island and Tignes (No. 6) in the French Alps. Ticking multiple boxes — it’s less crowded, and it’s cool from both a climate and celestial perspective — is Tromsø (No. 4) in northern Norway, where historic wooden buildings line the waterfront, a sauna floats in the harbor and the Northern Lights woo Aurora Borealis seekers.

The resort city of Sanya sits on China’s tropical Hainan island. (Getty Images)

Here’s the top 10. Find more details at Booking.com.

Top 10 trending destinations for 2025

1 Sanya, China

2 Trieste, Italy

3 João Pessoa, Brazil

4 Tromsø, Norway

5 Willemstad,Curaçao

6 Tignes, France

7 San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

8 Naha, Okinawa, Japan

9 Villajoyosa, Spain

10 Houston, Texas

Warriors destroy skeleton-crew Lakers to finish preseason undefeated

SAN FRANCISCO — The Warriors were supposed to make their preseason finale a dress rehearsal game, but their plans got nixed when Steph Curry sprained his right index finger, sidelining him out of precaution.

It wouldn’t have been much of a true test, anyway. The Lakers, on the second night of a bizarre preseason back-to-back, sat just about every notable player. LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht, D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves each didn’t play, making the game more like varsity-versus-JV than even an exhibition.

Against the Lakers’ skeleton crew, Golden State skated to a 132-74 victory to cap a perfect 6-0 preseason. They’re the only team in the NBA to go undefeated in the preseason.

To beat Los Angeles, the Warriors shot 58.3% and posted a 21:5 assist-to-turnover ratio in the first half before completely running the Lakers out of Chase Center. Jonathan Kuminga scored a team-high 17 points and six Warriors registered double digits. Bronny James, in a starting role for the Lakers, scored 17 points on 7-for-17 shooting.

The next time the Warriors play a game, it’ll be in Portland for their season opener next Wednesday.

“We’ve had a great preseason,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said postgame. “We’ve had a lot of competition, we’ve had every guy coming in in good shape. Playing hard, playing well, playing together. Tonight, obviously, was not a fair fight given the Lakers sat all their guys. But it didn’t take away from how we played, how hard we played. I’m really pleased with our progress to this point, and it’ll be fun to get started for real.”

The Warriors blitzed Los Angeles from the start. They started the same jumbo-sized lineup as they did in Las Vegas against the Lakers, only with De’Anthony Melton in Curry’s spot. That group hit seven of its first nine shots, with almost everything coming in the paint.

Aside from a couple defensive hiccups from Jonathan Kuminga, the unit dominated like they should. Then the bench came in after seven minutes and scored 13 unanswered points, pushing the pace and draining a pair of 3s.

Brandin Podziemski, in his first game since breaking his nose, scored 10 points in his first six minutes. He canned a pair of triples, one off an excellent extra pass from Buddy Hield, and got rewarded for well-timed backdoor cuts.

Podziemski has played in a protective mask before, when he broke his nose in college at Santa Clara, but there was still a bit of an adjustment period for him with the translucent mask.

“It’s terrible,” Podziemski said postgame. “I hate it. There was a play where I inbounded the ball and came off a screen by our bench in the first quarter, and I looked up to shoot but all I saw was the mask, so I didn’t shoot it.”

On the defensive end, though, Podziemski said he feels like he can get his nose into more plays. He took two charges against the Lakers and the mask came in handy when he got pushed forehead-first into the broadcast booth.

In the opening quarter in which Golden State won, 36-18, Moses Moody didn’t get off the bench. Although the dress rehearsal got canceled, him being the 11th Warrior to touch the court is noteworthy. The Warriors have 13 players for 10 rotation spots, and Steve Kerr has several tough conversations to have.

Moody, the team’s leading preseason scorer, has had a tremendous offseason, and has earned playing time on merit, but still could get squeezed out of the crowded rotation.

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Kuminga, who is entering his fourth year like Moody, was featured more in the half court than in recent preseason games. On one play, he hit a face-up 15-footer. Soon after, he posted up his man from near the 3-point line, backing his way under the basket for a reverse layup.

The Warriors led the Lakers by double digits the entire night, taking a 66-40 advantage into halftime and pushing it to 42 to end the third quarter off a flurry from Hield (14 points in 15 minutes) and a fast-break dunk from Podziemski.

Moody started the second half in place of Draymond Green, who was only scheduled to play the first half. Green was effective in his 16 minutes, dishing five assists and drawing a charge. He earned the chance to sit and watch his teammates’ onslaught.

The fourth quarter devolved into something only resembling basketball. Players walked during plays and chucked 3s. A Laker dribbled a handoff off his leg and out of bounds. Pat Spencer led the reserves with a dunk and a trio of assists, pushing the lead over 50.

Friday’s game was a complete throwaway. The score didn’t indicate anything. An undefeated preseason probably doesn’t mean much at all, either.

But winning can’t hurt.

“Hell yeah,” Podziemski said when asked if an undefeated preseason means anything. “As a competitor, you want to win everything, no matter if it counts or it doesn’t. You want to play your best, show the coaching staff what you can do from year-to-year. But it definitely means something.”

Horoscopes Oct. 18. 2024: Zac Efron, an innovative approach

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Zac Efron, 37; Esperanza Spalding, 40; Freida Pinto, 40; Wynton Marsalis, 63.

Happy Birthday: Live, learn and look for the positive in everything you do. Expand your interests instead of letting procrastination set in and play with your plans. An innovative approach to finances, staying fit and incorporating the things you enjoy doing most into your daily routine will help turn every day into one of making new memories and enjoying life to the fullest. Make travel, learning and romance priorities. Your numbers are 4, 11, 19, 26, 35, 42, 47.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Focus on bringing in cash, growing investments and boosting your health. Refuse to let anyone bait you into an argument. Keep your opinions to yourself and sidestep wasting time fighting a losing battle. Let your strengths and a desire for knowledge and experience be the focus of your day. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Put your energy where it counts. Home improvements, lowering your overhead and offering one of your specialties for a price will position you for more excellent stability, comfort and peace of mind. A change will turn out better than you anticipate. Embrace new beginnings and nurture meaningful relationships. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Be careful what you share. Offering personal information will give someone an advantage. Listen and strategize your next move. Put your energy into looking and feeling your best, and build the confidence you require to implement your plans. Refuse to let anyone outmaneuver you. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Stand tall and proceed with your plans. It’s okay to do things your way. Having an impact will boost your reputation and assure that you gain the audience you need to support your efforts. Network, socialize and make your dreams come true. Be the master of your destiny. 4 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Speak from the heart, and you’ll get the attention you require to make your point and gain insight and help from experts. You’ll shine if you embark on a challenge that requires physical endurance. You can make a difference if you put your mind to it, strategize and act. 2 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Stretch your mind, visit inspiring places and consider a change that could lead to a better lifestyle. Be adventuresome, try something new and surround yourself with people of interest. The more information and influences you encounter, the easier it will be to make the right choice. 5 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Mix business with pleasure. Join the conversation and participate in events and activities that cross over from things you enjoy to ways to use your attributes and skills to earn a living. Mix and match for optimum results, and peace and happiness will flourish. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Don’t settle for anything less than what you want. Persistence, passion and ingenuity will get you to your destination and help you hold on to what’s essential. Refrain from letting what others choose to do lead to a direction that benefits them more than you. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You need to know the rules to make it easier to stick to the necessary protocol. When reason isn’t working for you, it’s time to be innovative and think outside the box. Dig deep, and your heart will lead you in a direction that makes you feel good about your achievements. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Take care of your needs. Fix up your space to accommodate what you want to do next. A change of scenery or associates will give you a unique perspective regarding your plans and how best to tailor them to your own specifications. Precision and detail will lead to success. 5 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Mixed emotions and outside influences will add to your confusion. When in doubt, sit tight and observe. You don’t have to make a snap decision. Take a break, socialize and do something that takes your mind off your worries or that makes you look and feel your best. 2 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): A steady pace forward will help you gain momentum and an audience to support your efforts. Your insight will lead to financial gain or a healthier lifestyle. Added discipline will help you complete whatever mission you pursue. Say no to temptation and indulgent behavior. 4 stars

Birthday Baby: You are ambitious, persistent and dedicated. You are proactive 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.

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Thursday High School football: Rebuilding in the Gabilan a giant challenge for Alvarez

SOQUEL — There was an understanding back in the spring that implementing a new culture wasn’t going to turn a struggling football program into an immediate power.

Reality checks have crossed Alvarez’s path, as it navigates the growing pains that come from a new regime – its third new football coach in five years.

One of them occurred Thursday when the Eagles ran into defending CIF State Division 4AA champ Soquel – a 35-7 loss, the teams fourth straight setback.

If you’re judging progress by the standings, the argument is what has changed at Alvarez? If you’re in the locker room with first year head coach Ben Newman, the answer is — everything.

The heart and character of a group of players, some dealing with their third coach since arriving on campus – has never been questioned.

“The progression is there,” Newman said. “We’re going in the right direction. It’s just difficult to rebuild a program in the division we have been placed in.”

Which begs the question why is Alvarez – a program that has gone 19-85 when placed in the upper division over the last two decades – still in the Gabilan Division?

“Kids have asked me ‘why are we still up’?” Newman said. “I got hired in March. That decision was made four months earlier. We play who is front of us.”

Newman believes with time that the Eagles can be competitive in the Gabilan Division. It’s just not the division to revamp a program that has endured five winless seasons in the last 18 years.

In fact, since 2005, Alvarez has never had a winning season while playing in an upper division, going 3-3 in 2014.

“I think we should be down a division,” Newman admitted. “We need to get something going first. You just don’t start at the top. Eventually we’ll be back.”

The Eagles have proven to be competitive against teams from both Mission Divisions, beating Pacific Grove, while falling to North County and Monte Vista.

At 0-3 this fall in the Gabilan Division, Newman has not given up on the thought of shocking the world and making the playoffs.

“We just went through the gauntlet of the Gabilan Division,” Newman said. “Not that it will get any easier, but we have three games left. If we can win two, I believe that will get us in.”

The problem is Alvarez has only won two or more league games six times during its tenure in the upper division, having never beaten Aptos or Palma, two of its three remaining opponents.

“One thing these kids haven’t done is complain,” Newman said. “Our seniors understand they’re the foundation for the future. Most have embraced the changes. But it’s been hard.”

There was no intimidation in lining up against the defending State Division 4AA champions, as the Eagles actually found themselves tied in the second quarter at 7 when Abel Bailon found Ramon Garcia on a 10-yard touchdown pass.

However, the Knights are unbeaten in the Gabilan Division for a reason, seizing control from that moment, scoring the games next 28 points in pulling away from Alvarez.

“Soquel plays old school football,” Newman said. “It seems like they only have four formations. But they execute to near perfection. It’s another teaching moment.”

Newman, a former Monterey High lineman, has seen enough flashes to feel Alvarez is taking small steps forward, despite having dropped four straight games.

One of those moments came two weeks ago in a loss to Salinas, where the Eagles were driving in what was still a two-score game before a turnover became a touchdown and a potential 14-point swing.

“We were in the red zone, what six or seven times against Salinas,” Newman said. “We just did not do anything with it. The progression is there. We just have to learn how to finish drives.”

Adversity has hit Alvarez in unique ways this fall, such as a case of food poisoning hours before its game against Monte Vista.

“I saw one kid get sick, thinking it was nerves,” Newman said. “Then another and another. It hit the entire team. We had kids that went to the hospital after that game.”

Yet, in between trips to the bathroom and behind the stands, the Eagles were down by a point before giving up a kickoff return in the final six seconds in a 42-34 loss.

While Newman believes the future provides promise and potential, he has remained in the present, looking for intangibles to build off of going forwards.

The playbook continues to grow, as Garcia chases 1,000 rushing yards, having scored six of Alvarez’s seven rushing touchdowns, while catching two touchdown passes.

“He’s just a junior,” Newman said. “It’s a nice piece to build around. But we’re losing most of our offensive line. They’re the heartbeat of our offense.”

When Newman looks at the lower levels, he sees the growth of a junior varsity teams that’s 2-5 with a lot of first year players. And a freshman team that’s learning his system now.

“The lower levels have all bought in,” Newman said. “That’s where you start. I can’t change this overnight. For the most part, we’ve been in most games.”

What has pleased Newman down the stretch is the energy in practice. He called the last week and half of practice some of the best Alvarez has had since the foot poisoning incident.

“It was tough at first,” Newman said. “But the kids have stuck it out. They see the vision. We were excited to play the state champs. Our goal is still in front of us.”

High School cross country: Gabilan/Mission Division Center Meet results

Pacific Coast Athletic League cross country Center Meet Results

At Pinto Lake, Watsonville (2.96 miles)

Gabilan Division

Boys’ results

1. Hollister 62; 2. Marina 64; 3. Monte Vista 64; 4. Alisal 65; 5. King City 70.

Individual results

1. Gustavo Perez (Alisal) 15:44; 2. Fernando Herrera (Alisal) 16:22; 3. Luis Perez (Hollister) 16:31; 4. Gavin Beckmen (Monte Vista) 16:31; 5. Kevin Azpeitia (Marina) 16:31; 6. Alvaro Garcia (King City) 16:35; 7. Miguel Flores (Marina) 16:35; 8. Andrew Parra (Hollister) 16:37; 9. Fernando Merino (King City) 16:37; 10. Conor Gilliam (Monte Vista) 16:39; 11. Joaquin Arriaga (King City) 16:42; 12. Justin McCullick (Monte Vista) 16:44; 13. Tarin Riner (Marina) 16:44; 14. Eduardo Bernal-Samaro (Marina) 16:49; 15. Bradley Orlando (Monte Vista) 16:52.

Girls’ results

1. Alisal 43; 2. North County 58; 3. Hollister 58; 4. Carmel 96; 5. King City 98.

Individual results

1. Yaretzi Cornelio (Alisal) 18:39; 2. Prienna Chavez (Hollister) 18:52; 3. Nadia Anastacio (North County) 19:30; 4. Yahaira Torres (King City) 19:52; 5. Ana Kaplansky (Hollister) 20:09; 6. Angelica Murillo (Alisal) 20:10; 7. Ava Ghio (Carmel) 20:21; 8. Deisy Gracida Gabriel (North County) 20:28; 9. Valeria Pio-Pahua (North County) 20:29; 10. Valeria Esqueda (Hollister) 20:31; 11. Luz Mejia-Martinez (Alisal) 20:37; 12. Alondra Rios (Alisal) 20:38; 13. Kelly Vaca (Alisal) 20:45; 14. Jasmine Jin (Carmel) 21:02; 15. Cecilia Campos (Alisal) 21:20.

Mission Division

Boys’ results

1. Carmel 64; 2. North County 65; 3. Salinas 71; 4. Stevenson 102; 5. Greenfield 102; 6. Watsonville 135; 7. Alvarez 151; 8. Gonzales 211.

Individual results

1. Mack Aldi (Carmel) 15:39; 2. Jasper Bolante (Carmel) 16:05; 3. Giovanni Ochoa (Gonzales) 16:07; 4. Tomas Rey-Avila (Salinas) 16:32; 5. Leandro Montoya (North County) 16:32; 6. Fabian Serrano (Greenfield) 16:37; 7. Arthur Abila (North County) 16:39; 8. Nain Garcia-Ferria (Watsonville) 16:58; 9. Christian Martinez (Alvarez) 17:00; 10. Marcus Finley (Stevenson) 17:08; 11. Chris Wing (Salinas) 17:12; 12. Zachary Lander (Carmel ) 17:16; 13. Christopher Curbelo (North County) 17:19; 14. Yael Hernandez (Greenfield) 17:22; 15. Alessandro De Leo (Stevenson) 17:29.

Girls’ results

1. Salinas 43: 2. Alvarez 57; 3. Watsonville 57; 4. Monterey 103; 5. Stevenson 119; 6. Greenfield 122; 7. Gonzales 192.

Individual results

1. Kylie Brunelli (Monte Vista) 18:19; 2. Katelynn Ruiz (Watsonville) 18:28; 3. Gabriela Cardenas (Rancho San Juan) 19:33; 4. Crystal Madrigal (Salinas) 19:40; 5. Lizbeth Gomez Abrica (Watsonville) 19:42; 6. Anna Conca (Monte Vista) 19:56; 7. Eldi Covarrubias (Rancho San Juan) 20:03; 8. Emma Beck (Salinas) 20:22; 9. Arely Rubio (Alvarez) 20:25; 10. Miriam Grosch (Stevenson) 20:51; 11. Finley Castro (Monte Vista) 20:56; 12. Lizbeth Maravillo (Alvarez) 20:57; 13. Jenna Partida (Salinas) 21:04; 14. Emma Covarrubias (Rancho San Juan) 21:07; 15. Azucena Sandoval (Watsonville) 21:07.