Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 353

High School cross country: Marina wins Gabilan boys team title, Carmel’s Aldi earns individual honors

CARMEL — Mack Aldi was caught napping a mile into the race. Instead of setting the pace, he found himself forced to play catch-up while feeling lethargic.

At one point, the Carmel distance ace and reigning Pacific Coast Athletic League cross country champion was as much as 15 yards off the lead at Thursday’s Center Meet at Palo Corona Regional Park.

“It surprised me,” Aldi said. “I didn’t see the kid coming. I came in thinking course record. I came in with too big of an ego. My blood sugar was low.”

A diabetic, all Aldi could do over the final 2,000 meters is keep Gustavo Perez of Alisal within eye site, knowing his 800 meter speed could kick in if needed over the final 200 meters.

“I just told myself I have to get him,” Aldi said. “He was peeling off. I started to reel him back in. No one is going to outkick me over the final 100 meters.”

Aldi didn’t get the meet record he’s been so closed to in the past. Yet, he battled back to capture the Center Meet, overtaking Perez in the final 25 meters, clocking 16:42 over the 3.01 mile loop, helping Carmel to a Mission Division boys team title.

“He (Aldi) has more speed,” said Perez, who won the Gabilan Division portion of the meet. “I got too comfortable. I need to make it hurt more.”

As dramatic of a finish as the pair staged, it was Marina that sent an early season message in the boys division, winning the Gabilan Division team title with a 35-55 decision over defending champion Alisal.

The Mariners, who won the Cypress Division title last year, were bumped up two divisions this year, becoming the first sport on the campus to compete in the Gabilan Division.

“The guys wanted to go to the Gabilan,” Marina coach Jacob Bernal said. “We weren’t surprised by today’s outcome. There is a long way to go. There are bigger races ahead.”

With Aldi and Perez engaging in a spirited finish, Marina quietly put its first five runners in the top 15 to steal some of the thunder from the two standouts.

“I was just trying to help the team,” said Kevin Azpeitia, who finished fifth overall for Marina. “We ran close to each other over the first mile. On the second mile, I started picking people off. I need to work on the last portion of my race.”

Aldi, who has never lost a divisional race at Palo Corona, struggled during the second mile, perhaps stunned that Perez overtook him and held the lead for most of the race.

“I felt great,” Perez said. “Mack set the pace. I just tried to go with him. He was breathing heavy at the mile mark. So I pushed it to try and distance myself, knowing he would have a kick.”

A state meet qualifier and the school record holder in the 800 for Carmel in track and field, Aldi kept Perez within his vision, pulling him back in over the final 800 meters before making a charge as the two neared the finish line.

“There wasn’t much I could do about the way I was feeling, other than hydrate myself better before the next race,” Aldi said. “I’ve got so much progression left in me. I know what needs to be done.”

Sophomore Yaretzl Cornelio won the Gabilan Division portion of the girls race for Alisal, who finished second as a team to Hollister 60-65, with North County a few strides back with 69 points.

“I need a stronger mindset,” said Cornelio, who ran 20:15 over 3.01 miles. “It’s a step in the right direction. I need to work on the hills. I didn’t know what to expect today. I was nervous.”

Cornelio finished a few strides in front of Hollister’s Prienna Chavez, King City’s Yahaira Torres and North County’s Nadia Anastacio. Kylie Brunelli of Monte Vista won the overall race among the two divisions in 19:56.6. Watsonville won the Mission team title, edging Salinas and Monterey.

“I wanted to go sub-20,” said Anastacio, an all-leaguer last year in cross country. “I need to work on that third mile. I’m not a distance runner. I just like to run in general.”

A Central Coast Section finalist in the 400 meters last spring in track, Anastacio is a sprinter that uses cross country to build stamina for the 400.

“No question I do this for track,” said Anastacio, who dipped under 58 seconds last spring in the 400. “It conditions me for the mental aspect of the 400. Now I need to let it go over the final mile. It’s a mental block of being afraid. There is more inside me.”

SF Giants officially eliminated from playoff contention on Orioles’ walk-off homer

By IAN NICHOLAS QUILLEN | Associated Press

BALTIMORE (AP) — Anthony Santander hit a game-ending two-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning, his 42nd longball of the season, and the Baltimore Orioles eliminated the San Francisco Giants from the playoff contention, beating them 5-3 on Thursday.

Santander’s shot off Ryan Walker (9-4) came after Casey Schmitt tied the game at 3-all with a single off Seranthony Domínguez in the top of the ninth.

“Walk’s been great … one pitch ends up costing us the game,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said. “You always feel good when he’s in the game. (But) a good hitter having a great season got a pitch he could handle.”

The Giants missed a big chance to do more damage in the top of the ninth inning after the first two runners reached base. Donovan Walton popped a bunt to the catcher for the first out, then pinch hitter Mark Canha grounded into a double play to end the Giants’ threat.

San Francisco’s offense was stalled by some poor production with men in scoring position as Giants hitters went just 1-for-9 in those situations. Melvin, though, chalked those numbers up to some poor luck.

“We were 1-for-9 with runners in position but we had some really good at-bats. We were a little unlucky as far as some of the key at-bats,” he said, noting Patrick Bailey lined out with two runners aboard to end the sixth, and LaMonte Wade’s bullet to right with two was caught to end the seventh. “We were very scrappy. We just fell an at-bat short.”

The Orioles, who had lost eight of 10, moved three games ahead of idle Kansas City for the top AL wild card and had a chance to gain ground on the AL East-leading New York Yankees, who played at Seattle.

“I was like this: ‘Huff, huff, huff, keep going please,’” Santander said while making a blowing gesture. “I hit it good with the barrel, but too high. I was hopeful that that ball kept going. And thankfully it did.”

The Giants dropped to 6-9 in September.

Michael Conforto’s 18th home run gave San Francisco a 2-0 lead in the top of the fourth, then Adley Rutschman hit an RBI double and Jackson Holliday drove in two with a two-out single to make it 3-2.

The teams traded zeroes until the ninth, when Dominguez walked the first two batters and Schmitt hit a high-arcing fly ball to right-center.

The diving Austin Slater got his glove to it but the former Giant couldn’t hold on while colliding with center fielder Cedric Mullins, and pinch-runner Brett Wisely scored from second despite tagging on the play.

“We come back in the ninth and have some good at-bats late in the game like we typically do,” Melvin said. “But just fell an at-bat short.”

Mullins received medical attention but remained in the game.

With Gunnar Henderson on first, Santander fell behind 0-2 against Walker but took a ball and fouled off four pitches before connecting on a slider over the middle.

Logan Webb went five innings and gave up the three fourth-inning runs. He struck out eight Orioles and allowed four hits.

“We’re up 2-0 in the fourth and I go out there and I give up three,” said Webb. “It’s been kind of a theme for me, unfortunately, and I just have to be better.

“It’s kind of a thing where I felt like I had good stuff but just not getting the job done and I think that’s more important than anything else.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Orioles: LHP Danny Coulombe faced three batters and allowed a hit in his third rehab outing at Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday. Hyde said the club will make a decision on his status after he goes through pregame activities with Norfolk on Thursday. … Hyde said he hopes 1B Ryan Mountcastle can begin a rehab assignment with Norfolk sometime this weekend.

UP NEXT

Giants: Rookie RHP Mason Black (0-4, 7.07 ERA) takes his fourth turn since he was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento at the end of August as the Giants play the first of three against the Royals.

Orioles: Ace Corbin Burnes (14-8, 3.06) makes what could be his final regular-season start in Baltimore as the O’s start a three-game set against Detroit to close their home schedule. Burnes will be a free agent this offseason.

Parole for killer of Castroville toddler upheld by board

SALINAS >> David Leonardo, who was serving 15 years to life for the 2011 murder of 2-year-old Priscilla Rose Hernandez, was granted parole the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office recently announced.

The California Board of Parole Hearings granted parole to Leonardo after an “en banc” review by a panel of commissioners at a monthly executive board meeting in April.

This was Leonardo’s second parole hearing after Gov. Gavin Newsom overturned his first grant of parole in 2023.

The District Attorney’s Office opposed his release at the “en banc” hearing, arguing that Leonardo did not demonstrate true remorse and engaged in “self-serving deception and impression management.”

On Dec. 3, 2011, Monterey County deputies and firefighters responded to a call of a non-responsive child. Leonardo was upstairs yelling for the first responders to come upstairs. When they entered the bedroom, they found Leonardo holding a 2-year-old girl. She was not wearing a shirt and had several visible bruises on her body including her lower abdomen. Her eyes were open, but her body was pale and motionless and she was unconscious, according to police. Her extremities were cool to the touch, and she had an open airway.

Police learned that Leonardo was the girl’s mother’s boyfriend, who watched the children.

Following an autopsy, it was learned that the girl had suffered blunt force trauma to her abdomen that caused tears in her abdomen and in her colon which resulted in internal bleeding and led to her death in minutes. Injuries to her mouth indicated that she had been smothered sometime within 24 hours prior to her death. There were numerous bruises on her chest, abdomen, head, legs and arms. There was also severe bruising on her right arm, which appeared to be grab marks.

After the autopsy was complete Leonardo was re-interviewed and police say after a lot of prodding about the injuries and timeline, Leonardo told investigators that he got mad and hit the girl. He said the girl had been throwing a tantrum about her mother leaving and he had given her a time out. Then, he said she urinated and defecated on purpose to get back at him, and he hit her in the stomach. She didn’t speak after that.

At the parole hearing on April 23, the victim’s parent and both grandmothers were present and pleaded with the Board of Parole not to release Leonardo. There were several letters in opposition to the release along with a multi-page petition with signatures from members of the public opposing his parole.

The Board of Parole panel reported that their grant was based on the work Leonardo had done during incarceration to transform and rehabilitate himself. The panel said Leonardo had identified the cause of his triggers and anger through further programming and showed enhanced self-awareness at the hearing. The panel found that he demonstrated remorse and accepted full responsibility for his crime without any minimization. The Board listed his accomplishments in prison including college coursework and determined that he had adequate parole plans. The Board also lauded his participation in many programs offered in prison, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

There were members of the public and family both in favor and opposition of the parole recommendation.

The District Attorney’s Office says that Leonardo will likely be released after serving about 13 years of the sentence.

Imjin Parkway project pushes Preston Drive reopening to late October

MARINA – A delay in relocating Pacific Gas and Electric equipment will further push back the reopening of Preston Drive to late October as part of the Imjin Parkway Widening and Roundabout Project in Marina, officials said recently.

Pacific Gas and Electric is scheduled to install new poles in the next few days but the work to move the lines to the new poles and remove the old poles has been pushed back to Oct. 5, says an update from the city of Marina. Once the old poles have been removed, the contractor can complete the remaining work to allow for the reopening of Preston Drive.

The Imjin Parkway project is a two-year effort to widen and increase safety on an artery linking the Monterey Peninsula and Salinas Valley for about 30,000 daily motorists through the city of Marina. The project will affect 1.7 miles of Imjin Parkway from Reservation Road to Imjin Road and will include the construction of four roundabouts and increase the stretch of roadway to four lanes. Construction began Feb. 12 and is anticipated to complete by the end of June 2026.

Marina is the lead agency for the project, which is also the second regional Transportation Agency for Monterey County Measure X project to be built.

The Imjin Parkway Widening and Roundabout project’s dual-walled HDPE pipe sections for the Army’s treatedgroundwater system. (City of Marina)

In the past two weeks, the Imjin Parkway Widening and Roundabout Project has worked on concrete retaining wall construction – strip and load out forms – near Abrams Drive, continued the grading and placing of base rock material for the roadway section between Abrams Drive and Imjin Road, as well as continued grading and placing base material for the bike path section between Abrams and Marina Heights drives. The project also continued preparing material on the south side of Imjin Parkway for hauling which has been delayed until PG&E verifies an affected gas line is an abandoned line. Workers fused, installed and tested dual-walled pipe for the Army’s treated groundwater piping system, formed and placed a concrete curb and gutter and extruded a concrete median curb for sections between Abrams and Marina Heights drives, while continuing grading work for the roadway and bike path area at the top of Marina Heights Drive.

Night work is anticipated in order to pave a transition roadway west of Preston Drive, according to the city’s update. This transition will move traffic from the new roadway west of Preston Drive back over to the existing traffic lanes on the south side of the concrete barriers. This work is tentatively scheduled for the week of Oct. 7 but could be impacted by the delay in PG&E work. The city of Marina said it will provide more specific information when dates and times are scheduled.

Planned future work includes Pacific Gas and Electric removing old poles between Reservation Road and Preston Drive now scheduled for Oct. 5, backfilling the retaining wall near Abrams Drive, paving the bike path from Reservation Road to the west side of Preston Drive once the PG&E relocation has been completed.

The Imjin Parkway Widening and Roundabout Project’s $40.5 million in funding sources include $2 million from Marina generated from development impact fees, $18.25 million from Transportation Agency for Monterey County’s Measure X and $20.25 million from California’s SB1 local partnership program.

Measure X was the November 2016 ballot measure approved by 67.7% of Monterey County voters for the Transportation Agency’s Transportation Safety and Investment Plan.

To stay informed about the Imjin Parkway Widening and Roundabout Project, visit the project website at www.imjinparkway.com or contact Edrie De Los Santos, city of Marina, at 831-884-1212.

49ers’ George Kittle, Charvarius Ward join injured stars not practicing

SANTA CLARA — Tight end George Kittle and cornerback Charvarius Ward were surprise no-shows at Thursday’s practice, sidelined by leg injuries that suddenly put their availability in question for the 49ers’ game Sunday at the Los Angeles Rams.

Another not-so-subtle name joined the 49ers’ ever-growing injury list: defensive end Nick Bosa, with a rib issue that limited him.

While Kittle was kept out with a hamstring issue, Ward has a combination of hamstring and knee injuries. Both players practiced in full Wednesday then reported “soreness” Thursday morning and likely will be listed as questionable for the game, coach Kyle Shanahan said on KNBR 680-AM.

The 49ers (1-1) already will play without two offensive playmakers in Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey. Samuel is expected to miss two weeks with a calf strain from Sunday’s loss at Minnesota, while McCaffrey has yet to play this season and is not eligible to come off Injured Reserve for another three games.

“Obviously it (stinks) not having your guys like Deebo and Christian and stuff. So it’s like, ‘Alright, how can we figure out getting the ball to other guys,’ ” Brock Purdy said. “But we have playmakers, a really good scheme, a great play-caller and great players who step up into roles.”

Left tackle Trent Williams said of the 49ers’ injured stars: “Those guys are the best in the world, but who really feels sorry for us? It’s a next-man-up league.”

The Rams (0-2) will play their home opener without their top wide receivers, Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, the latter of whom is among 11 players on the team’s Injured Reserve list.

Both Kittle and Ward underwent core-muscle surgeries in February and missed offseason practices, but both have been mainstays on the field through two games. Kittle has played 82 percent of the offensive snaps, while Ward has lined up for all but one of the defense’s 105 snaps.

Defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen said Ward looked good in Wednesday’s practice, and as for Thursday’s absence, he said: “There’s some soreness, so we’re being smart and decided to hold him out.”

Ward has started every game since arriving as a 2022 free agent. The 49ers conceivably could start Deommodore Lenoir and Isaac Yiadom on the outside spots if Ward is out; rookie Renardo Green entering as the nickel back who could play inside or outside if the 49ers prefer Lenoir covering the Rams’ slot receiver. Or Ward could play, which seems more likely.

Kittle, an eighth-year veteran, has caught Purdy’s only touchdown pass this season amid his 11 receptions. He has seven touchdown catches in 13 career games against the Rams, including one in the 49ers’ 2021 season’s NFC Championship Game which marks the Niners’ only loss at SoFi Stadium.

If Kittle can’t play, Eric Saubert and Jake Tonges could seize bigger roles. The fact Saubert is an eighth-year veteran “gives me comfort,” said Purdy, who connected with him for back-to-back completions on Sunday’s final possession. Brayden Willis or Mason Pline could come up from the practice squad if needed, too.

Purdy’s top targets among the wide receivers already figure to be Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, Chris Conley and Jacob Cowing. Top draft pick Ricky Pearsall must miss at least two more games recovering from an Aug. 31 gunshot wound to his chest.

“This is when opportunities present themselves,” Williams said. “Nobody would have known Jordan (Mason) if a couple of guys didn’t go down, and nobody would have known Brock if we didn’t lose three quarterbacks in one year. It’s a blessing in disguise. Guys just have to be ready to step up and relish in the moment.”

While Samuel is the 49ers’ leading receiver with 13 catches for 164 yards, Aiyuk has just six catches for 71 yards and no touchdowns since skipping training camp and ultimately signing a four-year extension worth $30 million annually.

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HUFANGA ‘EYES’ COMEBACK

In positive health news, safety Talanoa Hufanga is expected to play Sunday for the first time since Nov. 19, when he tore his right knee’s anterior cruciate ligament. “Honestly for me the mental aspect was never the issue,” Hufanga said. “Physically, I couldn’t do much. It was an opportunity to be around my family, to dive into the playbook and the film room.

“I never looked at it as a bad process. Everybody has been through something. This was just my story and process,” Hufanga added. “There are so many positives from it vs. negatives. A lot of people can get caught in the negative and it will affect your healing. I had to stay bright, bring the juice when I was around my guys. I’m just really happy to be back.”

Hufanga poured over film during his rehabilitation and concluded that his 2022 All-Pro and Pro Bowl season was “mediocre,” in that it took him a few times to see the same call before making a play. He also praised his improved eye discipline from watching practices with general manager John Lynch, a Pro Football Hall of Fame safety.

Ji’Ayir Brown is excited about pairing up with Hufanga for the first time outside of a few snaps in the 2023 preseason. Brown particularly heralded Hufanga’s communication skills among the secondary, adding: “With us together, it’s going to be exciting.”

Hufanga, as well as linebacker Dee Winters (ankle), practiced in full.

EXTRA POINTS

In terms of cap dollars, Ward ($18,401,000), Samuel ($12,226,753), Kittle ($12,204,575) and McCaffrey ($6,682,588) account for $49,514,916 of the maximum $255.4 million per team. Their potential replacements count $5 million toward the cap, those being Green ($1,161,795), Jauan Jennings ($2,274,941), Eric Saubert ($985,500) and Jordan Mason ($988,934) that accounts for $5,411,170 in cap dollars. … The Rams kept out Kupp (ankle), tight end Davis Allen (back) and rookie kicker Joshua Karty (groin) from Stanford aside from their 11 players on Injured Reserve.  Limited were defensive tackle Bobby Brown (ankle) and cornerback Cobie Durant (toe). …

Staff writer Jerry McDonald contributed to this report

 

The FBI says Iran tried to send hacked files to Democrats. It’s another sign of foreign meddling

By ERIC TUCKER, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — When the FBI said this week that Iran had tried to provide Democrats with material stolen from Donald Trump’s campaign, it was only the latest allegation of foreign interference with the U.S. election.

The 2024 presidential campaign is encountering a spate of efforts by adversaries to weaken faith in the outcome and potentially alter the results. While much of the attention has been focused on Iran, Russia is still seen as the biggest threat.

The Biden administration has moved aggressively in recent weeks to call out the operations in hopes of alerting Americans so they remain vigilant to wide-ranging, often hidden, foreign efforts to influence their views on hot-button social issues as well as the candidates.

A look at the latest development and broader concerns about foreign election meddling:

What Iran is alleged to have done

Iranian operatives stand accused of hacking the Trump campaign and attempting to spread internal communications they pilfered. They also sought access to the Democratic presidential campaign, but there’s no indication those efforts were successful.

Several media organizations said last month they received apparently stolen information but declined to publish it. Politico, for instance, reported that it began receiving emails in July from an anonymous AOL account identified only as “Robert” that passed along what appeared to be a research dossier the campaign had apparently done on the Republican vice presidential nominee, Ohio Sen. JD Vance.

The latest revelation came Wednesday when intelligence officials disclosed that Iranian operatives had offered people associated with the Biden campaign information stolen from the Trump side.

The FBI said a few people connected to Biden’s reelection effort received unsolicited emails in late June and early July, before he dropped out of the race, that contained an excerpt “taken from stolen, non-public material” from the Trump campaign.

The outreach to both the media and to Biden campaign associates suggests Iran was trying to pull off a hack-and-leak operation reminiscent of the Russian election interference that was meant to benefit Trump during his 2016 race against Democrat Hillary Clinton.

No signs Democrats accessed the stolen material

The effort fell flat: There’s no evidence anyone ever even responded to the emails.

Morgan Finkelstein, a spokeswoman for Democrat Kamala Harris’ campaign, said in a statement that the material was not sent directly to the campaign but rather to just a few people associated with the campaign and that the emails looked like a phishing attempt or spam.

She said the campaign has cooperated with law enforcement ever since being made aware that Biden associates were “among the intended victims of this foreign influence operation.”

“We condemn in the strongest terms any effort by foreign actors to interfere in U.S. elections including this unwelcome and unacceptable malicious activity,” she said.

Trump’s unsupported claims

Related ArticlesNational Politics | Republicans are trying a new approach to abortion in the race for Congress National Politics | Hunter Biden’s sentencing on federal firearms charges delayed until December National Politics | Residents of Springfield, Ohio, hunker down and pray for a political firestorm to blow over National Politics | Threats, assassination attempts come with the office Trump once held and is seeking again National Politics | Harris touts her time working at McDonald’s. Will it help? Despite the lack of evidence that anyone connected to the Biden or Harris campaigns tried to take advantage of the stolen material, Trump has seized on the FBI announcement. He falsely claimed on his Truth Social platform that the Harris campaign had been caught “illegally spying on me.”

“This is real election interference, not the phony crap they’ve been trying to pin on me with Russia, Russia, Russia for years,” Trump said in a Wednesday night campaign appearance.

That’s a reference to an FBI investigation into whether the Trump campaign had coordinated with Russian operatives to tip the outcome of the 2016 election.

Though the investigation did not establish a criminal conspiracy, officials did determine that Trump associates actively welcomed the Russian assistance and hoped to exploit the help for political gain. That includes Trump, who on July 27, 2016, memorably said: “Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing. I think you will probably be rewarded mightily by our press,”

That was a reference to the 30,000 emails reportedly stored on the private email server that Clinton, his opponent, used as secretary of state. Within hours of his statement, Russian hackers for the first time targeted Clinton’s personal office.

Why might Iran be doing this?

One goal, according to U.S. intelligence officials, is to stoke discord in the United States and to undermine public confidence in the integrity of an election that Tehran sees as consequential for its own security interests.

It’s also not the first time, either. In the 2020 election, American officials linked Iran to “a multi-pronged covert influence campaign intended to undercut former President Trump’s reelection prospects” that was likely authorized by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and implemented by Iran’s military and intelligence services.

Intelligence officials have said Iran opposes Trump’s reelection, seeing him as more likely to increase tension between Washington and Tehran.

Trump’s administration ended a nuclear deal with Iran, reimposed sanctions and ordered the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, an act that prompted Iran’s leaders to vow revenge. A Pakistani man who spent time in Iran was recently charged in a plot to carry out political assassinations on U.S. soil, including potentially of Trump.

What other acts of interference have been detected?

Despite all the news around Iran, the U.S. government still regards Russia as the primary threat to the integrity of the election.

The Justice Department announced a pair of criminal cases this month that officials say exposes the lengths that Russia is prepared to go to influence the election.

One case charged two employees of RT, a Russian state media company, with funneling millions of dollars through shell companies to a Tennessee-based content creation firm to churn out English-language, pro-Russia videos, which have generated millions of views. Right-wing influencers linked to the Tennessee firm, Tenet Media, were kept in the dark about the Russian funding and worked unknowingly for a company that was a front for a Russian influence operation.

Another case involved a Russian government scheme to produce AI-generated content on bogus news websites that masqueraded as legitimate outlets.

Speaking Wednesday at a cybersecurity event, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said a “more diverse set of actors” than before was threatening elections.

“They are acting more aggressively,” Monaco said. “They are doing so in a much more polarized environment than we’ve ever seen before. And they’re utilizing more and more disruptive technology.”

Family travel 5: Now is the time to travel with toddlers, preschoolers

Lynn O’Rourke Hayes | (TNS) FamilyTravel.com

Take advantage of the years when plans are not limited by school holidays and summer vacation. Travel with your toddlers or home-schooled kiddos when crowds have diminished and pricing may be more appealing. Here are five ideas to consider:

Loews Miami Beach Hotel (Miami Beach, Florida)

This oceanfront resort offers a bounty of family enticements via the Loews Loves Kids program. Families can choose to enjoy the benefits of direct beach access (which makes castle building a breeze) or head to the zero-entry pool where pop fountains add to the vacation vibe. Celebrate in style by spending the day with access to a SOAK cabana where air conditioning, flat screen TVs, kids swim toys and private butler service will convince the kids they’ve reached VIP status. Parents can enjoy spa time while young travelers take advantage of the SoBe Kids Club, which features curated activities in partnership with the Miami Children’s Museum and Frost Museum of Science. Later, take a pizza-making class together or opt for Family Happy Hour during which time kids can enjoy complimentary lawn games while parents sip cocktails. Join in or cheer them on. Don’t worry about lugging extra gear on your holiday. The Leave it to Loews program offers a wide selection of kid-friendly amenities ranging from Pack and Plays and night lights to bottle warmers and board games. Ask about family packages.

For more: www.LoewsHotels.com/MiamiBeach

Door County, Wisconsin

For Midwestern hospitality, cherry picking, leaf peeping and fish boils, head to northern Wisconsin’s Door County. There are loads of family-friendly, lakeside inns and cottages from which to choose. Explore five sprawling state parks, 19 county parks and thousands of acres of wilderness. Stroll or bike along tree-covered lanes, tour local lighthouses and take your pick from 53 sandy beaches along Lake Michigan. Canoeing, kayaking, sailing and other water sports are plentiful. Spend a relaxing afternoon in search of arts and crafts and tasty ice cream cones. Scout out a good spot to catch the sunset. And when in Wisconsin, you may want to sample the dairy state’s culinary headliner — cheese curds.

For more: www.DoorCounty.com

Visit a child-friendly museum

In Philadelphia, the Please Touch Museum’s mission is to become experts in play. As a result, the museum has crafted programs that enrich the lives of young visitors by creating learning opportunities through play, thus hoping to lay the foundation for a lifetime of hands-on learning and cultural awareness. Located in historic Memorial Hall, the museum aims to highlight the past, present and future through six interactive exhibit zones across 157,000 square feet. Four areas have been specifically designed for children age 3 and younger.

In a current exhibit about food and family, kids can explore where food comes from and how we can share it within three interconnected zones: a shopping market, a hybrid home and industrial kitchen, and a neighborhood festival area.

The Woodside Park Dentzel Carousel is popular with families. Originally built in 1908, it was recently restored and can be found in its own 9,000-square-foot glass pavilion on the east side of Memorial Hall.

For more: www.pleasetouchmuseum.org

Hawks Cay Resort (Florida)

Located halfway between Key Largo and Key West, this extraordinary 60-acre resort provides a picture-perfect setting for a family getaway. On Duck Key, your crew can swim in a saltwater lagoon or any of five pools, including the splashy Pirate Ship pool and the Hawk’s Cay kids pool where slides, water cannons and raining palm trees lure young swimmers. The kid and teen clubs are also popular spots to get to know fellow junior adventurers. Of note is the interactive environmental activity program, designed to be both interactive and age appropriate, in which youngsters learn about dolphins, sharks, shore birds, residents of the nearby Everglades and other natural wonders. The older members of your crew can spend time fishing, kayaking, kiteboarding, cruising on a stand-up paddleboard or relaxing at the spa. Spend the night in one of 177 guest rooms or spread out in a two or three-bedroom villa.

For more: www.hawkscay.com

Kids on the trail

Getting kids outside early and often is likely to instill a lifetime love of nature. Visit a local hiking trail and watch as your child explores with wonder, turning over rocks and observing small animals and birds. Choose a loop trail or craft a scavenger hunt. Bring along a picnic and plenty of water or juice so that the whole family stays hydrated. After a few close-to-home practice rounds, include nature walks and hiking in your travel itineraries. In time, you’ll be scaling heights.

For more: www.childrenandnature.org | www.trails.com | www.nps.gov

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(Lynn O’Rourke Hayes (LOHayes.com) is an author, family travel expert and enthusiastic explorer.  Gather more travel intel on Twitter @lohayes, Facebook, or via FamilyTravel.com)

©2024 FamilyTravel.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Horoscopes Sept. 19, 2024: Trisha Yearwood, choose to grow

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Kevin Zegers, 40; Alison Sweeney, 48; Jimmy Fallon, 50; Trisha Yearwood, 60.

Happy Birthday: Be open to learning and experiencing what different people, places and lifestyles have to offer. Educate yourself and round out your routine to incorporate broader opportunities and pursuits. Choose to grow and expand your life experiences, and you will find it easier to achieve what makes you feel vibrant and eager to live life to the fullest. Be the person you long to be, and thrive. Your numbers are 7, 15, 26, 31, 37, 42, 45.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Be receptive and try something new and exciting. Introduce yourself to groups and experts who can broaden your perspective and point you in the right direction to achieve your goals. Make relationships a priority and start conversations that help you address sensitive issues. Love is in the stars. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): A change you make will enhance your reputation or improve your professional pursuits. Don’t wait for things to come your way; embrace every opportunity with a positive attitude and high energy, and you’ll lower stress and gain momentum. Don’t hold back. Display your intellect and skills. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Don’t revisit or open doors that lead to temptation. Discipline, strength and courage will be your best friends when dealing with old wounds or obsessions. Take a deep breath, organize your thoughts and make choices that help move you in a positive direction. Focus on love and health. 4 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You may think you are doing enough to please everyone, but going above and beyond the call of duty will ensure you don’t miss out on an opportunity someone else wants just as badly as you do. Leave nothing to chance, and you’ll make your dreams come true. 2 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Don’t let anger set in when knowledge is your best resource. Have your facts and figures ready before you engage in a topic that can make a difference in how you move forward. A heartfelt display of honesty, integrity and understanding will win favors and support. 5 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Learn as you go, and you will be satisfied with your results. Trial and error will lead to interesting connections and opportunities that are sure to encourage you to think outside the box. Choose to socialize with people who have as much to contribute as you do. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Put your best on display, and the response will be heartfelt. A chance to explore something foreign to you mentally, physically or emotionally will be enlightening, tweak your imagination and encourage new beginnings. Someone who challenges you will also interest you in many ways. Romance is favored. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Pick up the pace and finish what you start. What you accomplish will make a difference in how others perceive you. A reliable reputation will encourage new opportunities. Join a group that addresses your concerns, and you will make a worthwhile connection. Share your thoughts. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Lose your inhibitions doing something that makes you happy. Your involvement will lead to people who share your zest for life and spark your enthusiasm to continue heading in a direction that excites you. Love and romance are on the rise. Personal gratification is within reach. 5 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Make alterations that add to your convenience. Clear the clutter and make room for something you want to pursue. Personal gains and growth are within reach if you follow your heart and do what’s best for you. Refuse to let someone’s negativity leave you feeling stressed or sick. 2 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Financial opportunities are apparent. Broaden your horizons, socialize, network and connect with people who offer insight into possibilities that can turn one of your attributes into something prosperous. It’s time for a new look, vision and direction that stimulate personal growth. Romance is in the stars. 4 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Energy, discipline and challenges that put you where the action is will pay off and keep you out of trouble. Refuse to let temptation take over. Don’t spend on indulgent pastimes that can be a risk to your health and emotional well-being. Choose wisely. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are thoughtful, intelligent and comprehensive. You are hesitant and melancholy.

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

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Beth Peerless, Where it’s at: Nickel Creek brings a touch of bluegrass to Golden State

A band that got its start in Southern California in 1989 when the three principal members were still pre-teens, Nickel Creek’s currently 40-something-year-olds are sounding better than ever and on tour once again to the delight of acoustic music fans. Nickel Creek appears at the Golden State Theatre at 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Those who appreciate the wide-ranging stylistic talents of mandolinist Chris Thile, fiddle player Sara Watkins and her brother, guitarist Sean Watkins, will be thrilled by the music they’ve brought to the table in the 2023 release “Celebrants.” Even more thrilling is the three-part vocal harmonies in 18 songs written mostly during the 2020 pandemic period when the lockdown kept everyone secured away in their homes.

Rooted in bluegrass, Nickel Creek built a reputation as one of the most adventurous and eclectic groups in progressive acoustic music. In the early years it was all about touring and performing at bluegrass and country music festivals, where they wowed audiences with their mature abilities. They released two albums in the 1990s, but it was the 2000-released self-titled album produced by Alison Krauss that served as the trio’s breakthrough moment. With Krauss’s guidance they upgraded their vocal sound and the overall production of the record with the reward of two Grammy nominations for Best Bluegrass Album and Best Country Instrumental for the song “Ode to a Butterfly.” Though it was a decidedly bluegrass record, there were elements of classical, jazz, and rock’n’ roll, both classic and alternative. The influence of progressive bluegrass pioneers like Krauss, Edgar Meyer and Béla Fleck was also apparent.

A raft of awards and recognition followed and they went on to open shows for Lyle Lovett and appeared on Austin City Limits with Dolly Parton. She later invited them to be her backing band at the 2001 Grammy Awards.

The album “This Side” came out in 2002, the fourth by the group, also produced by Krauss. While the core bluegrass influence remained, forays into indie rock and folk rock put Nickel Creek on the path to winning the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album. It was certified gold and the band was featured in Rolling Stone magazine’s Best of 2002 edition. They went on to open five shows with John Mayer, and toured with Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. In 2003, they appeared on the Béla Fleck and the Flecktones album “Little Worlds.” Suffice to say, the band was riding high and on top of the world.

There were more exciting milestones and appearances at major festivals to include Bonnaroo, High Sierra Music Festival, Austin City Limits, SXSW, Lollapalooza and Star Fest. By 2006, they were ready for a break, and announced their tour that stretched through 2007 would be their last for an indefinite period so band members could expand their musical horizons. The members had already started to work on and release solo albums. Thile formed the Punch Brothers, Sara released an album which was produced by John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin fame. Sean had formed Fiction Family and released a couple albums. There was lots going on.

Nickel Creek ended its hiatus in early 2014 in celebration of their 25th anniversary as a band. They released the album “A Dotted Line” on Nonesuch records and followed it up with an extensive tour. They all went back to their own endeavors, performing occasionally as Nickel Creek. Sara was in the trio I’m With Her with Aoife O’Donovan and Sara Jarosz. Thile took over as host of the long-enured radio variety show “A Prairie Home Companion from Garrison Keillor.” It was later rebranded as “Live From Hear” where Nickel Creek performed once in awhile. It was canceled as a result of the global pandemic.

A live concert album was developed during the quarantine period, pulled from the archives and titled “Live from the Fox Theater,” recorded in Oakland, May 19, 2014. The group did some livestreams as well during their down time, and Thile and Sara released solo albums. Conceptualized and designed during the lockdown, the band released its first studio album in nine years, the 18-track “Celebrants.”

“It still sounds crazy to me that it’s the longest period between records for us,” Thile said as part of an interview for NPR. “It doesn’t feel like that, at all. I wonder if people who haven’t been in the same band since they were 8 years old can relate to the way that, sometimes, you forget to prioritize hanging out with your very best friends, because you know that that relationship isn’t going anywhere. Then when we finally did get it on the books, which took a global pandemic, all of the sudden we started realizing how much we had to say together.”

Augmented by double bassist Mike Elizondo, “Celebrants” is as complex and daring as anything in the group’s catalog. I’m particularly impressed by the song “The Meadow,” with its melting changes, gorgeous harmonies, changes in tempo and intricate interplay of the instrumentation. It’s like being in Alice’s Wonderland, a visit that is dreamlike and eye-opening at the same time. All the songs have connecting threads, so conceptually there’s a story being told, yet with enough definition to make each stand on its own. The song that follows “The Meadow,” “Thinnest Wall,” takes a straight walk into a country/bluegrass feel, but with dissonant harmonies that relate back to the strange meadow. And that feel continues into “Going Out…”, which is an instrumental with a feeling of moving toward another adventure.

Y’all can find your own story in these songs, remembering how strange it felt to not know what was going to happen next while the early pandemic times unfolded. I’ve been a fan of this band and all its members’ projects for I don’t know how long, somewhere in the late 1990s is when I first saw them up in Santa Cruz. Nickel Creek appears Wednesday at the State as a headlining act, while the majority of their time on the road this fall is spent as the supporting act for Kacey Musgraves tour. Tickets range in price from $60.68 to $114.24, available in advance at www.goldenstatetheatre.com.

Also at GST on Friday, 8 p.m., is “The Man In Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash,” featuring Shawn Barker in character as Cash backed by a full band and taking the audience through the life and music of the country music icon. Included are hits “Folsom Prison Blues,” “I Walk the Line,” “A Boy Named Sue,” and “Ring of Fire.” Tickets range from $46.26 to $81.80.
The Sunset Cultural Center in Carmel has a few things going on in the coming week to include the start of the  XYZ comedy series with Orlando Leyba, free live music on its outdoor terrace featuring Kaye Bohler, a free Jazz at Lincoln Center livestream with the JALO and Wynton Marsalis, and a sold-out Bonnie Raitt concert. Lots to like. To get the day, time and cost, please visit www.sunsetcenter.org where you’ll also find the current full schedule of events for Sunset Presents through June 2025.

The Center for Spiritual Awakening is hosting a fall concert series called “The Round.” Its first concert is a return appearance Friday of the Bring On the Joy concert, featuring the music of Kimball Hurd, Rick Chelew and Lee Garland. All are long time local musicians who have created beautiful music that is uplifting and fun. This is a family friendly show with children under 12 admitted free. General admission tickets are $30. Doors open at 6 p.m., ticket price includes a community reception with complimentary coffee, tea and hors d’oeuvres. There is a No Host Bar. Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.CSA-PG.org/joy.  CSA is located at 522 Central Ave. in Pacific Grove.

There are a number of events coming up that I’d like to give a shout out to this week, as next week’s coverage of the Monterey Jazz Festival and a plethora of events the following week will likely not allow room to elaborate as much as I’d like. Can’t do that much here either, but you can get all the information on the websites listed. And perhaps a follow up should space allow on the week of the event.

Coming up in October: The 2024 Carmel International Film Festival, held Oct. 5-6, with celebrity guests, film screenings, premieres, industry parties, expert panels, and more. All the details and tickets available at www.ciffest.com.

Over the weekend of Oct. 4-6, The Robinson Jeffers Foundation’s Fall Festival celebrates the enduring legacy of poet Robinson Jeffers, from 1924-2024 and beyond. Friday there is a Sunset Celebration at Tor House, 26304 Ocean View, Carmel with wine and savories served, Taelen Thomas recites poetry, Melinda Coffey Armstead and Pauline Troia perform music, and Tom Rusert and Darren Peterie assist in birdwatching from the terrace over Carmel Bay. Tickets are $25.

Saturday at the Carmel Woman’s Club, 9th & San Carlos, Carmel is a free series of talks and panel discussions, between 8:30 a.m.-noon, break for lunch, and then from 1:15-3:45 p.m. Saturday at 5:30 p.m. is a Banquet at Pine Inn with a presentation on Beautiful and Wild, the Hawks.

Sunday is Nature as Measure: A Geo-Poetic Field Trip in the Heart of Jeffers Country. Advance registration required. Visit www.torhouse.org for all the details and to reserve your place.

Saturday, Oct. 5, is the 21st Annual Monterey Beer Festival, to Benefit the Monterey County Fair Heritage Foundation, held at the Monterey Fair & Event Center from 12:30-4:30 p.m., VIP ticket holders enter an hour earlier at 11:30 a.m. Musical entertainment by Meez, plus DJ Fredo on the Radio. All the details and where to buy your tickets is at www.montereybeerfestival.com.

And a bit further out is the Saturday, Oct. 19, 11th Annual Party in the Village with the Casey Frazier Band and the unDecided. Dinner at 5:30 p.m., Music at 6 p.m. This fun local event takes place at Hidden Valley, 104 West Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley, with barbecue and the Carmel Valley Kiwanis No Host Bar. There’s Wine and Beer Barrel raffles, as well. Tickets are $65, available online at www.cvvic.org, or in person at Carmel Valley Business Center, Kasey’s, Running Iron and UPS Store at mid-Valley.

SF Giants ride bats, Birdsong to second straight win over Orioles

Apparently all the San Francisco Giants needed to do to wake up their dormant offense was put a continent between them and Oracle Park.

The Giants rode their bats to a second straight win over the Baltimore Orioles, 5-3, and will go for the sweep Thursday afternoon with Logan Webb on the mound.

They got a pair of home runs, including one to lead off the game for the second night in a row from Mike Yastrzemski, who has homered in three of his five games at Camden Yards. Michael Conforto widened the Giants’ advantage in the sixth inning with his 17th homer of the season — and third hit of the game.

A two-RBI single from Casey Schmitt and a swinging bunt from Grant McCray that resulted in a run when the Orioles’ catcher didn’t touch the plate for a force out was all the other offense needed to win for the first time in eight starts behind Hayden Birdsong, who limited Baltimore to three runs on four hits over 5⅔ innings.

With his 17th homer of the season, Yastrzemski became the fourth player in franchise history to lead off consecutive games with home runs — the first Giants leadoff hitter to do it since Dan Gladden on Oct. 1-2, 1985. It was also Yastrzemski’s sixth homer of September, all coming in back-to-back bunches.

“Yaz set the tone in the first inning, jumping on heaters, putting pitchers on their heals a little bit,” Conforto said on the NBC Sports Bay Area broadcast. “That’s something we talked about. Obviously we’ve had some trouble getting on starters. Yaz being in that leadoff spot has been huge for us.”

The Giants improved to 46-24 when scoring first and 30-12 when hitting multiple home runs, however neither has been a common occurrence. Only the Angels, Pirates and White Sox have scored fewer runs in the first three innings this season.

They were shut out the final three games of their most recent homestand, going 1-5, but have scored 15 runs on 19 hits while going 7-for-15 with runners in scoring position over their first two games in Baltimore.

In both games, Yastrzemski gave them a lead before their starter took the mound and they didn’t take their foot off the gas. After falling behind 2-1, the Giants loaded the bases in the fourth and manufactured three runs to retake the lead for good.

Filling in for Matt Chapman, who was placed on the paternity list before the game, Schmitt lined home two runs in the fourth and did best best impersonation of the four-time Gold Glove winner at third base. He ended the second inning with a backhanded spinning stab and sidearm throw, and then ranged behind the bag to prevent a second run from scoring after Ryan O’Hearn cut the Giants’ lead to 5-3 in the sixth.

“He was all over the place out there,” Conforto said. “Saved a run just by keeping it on the infield.”

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O’Hearn doubled home the one runner Erik Miller inherited from Birdsong, who came one out away from completing six innings for the second time in his career and had to settle for his second-longest start as a big leaguer.

“I thought he did really well,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said of Birdsong, who struck out three and walked two. “I wanted to push him a little bit to go out for the sixth. I didn’t necessarily have to. After five last time, I felt like he earned it. I think it’s good for his psyche as well to know he’s back out there with a full complement.”

The 23-year-old right-hander hadn’t made it through five innings since July 27 — the last time the Giants won behind him — before he did it in his last start but didn’t waver when Spencer Bivens began to get warm midway through the third inning. Birdsong allowed the first three batters of the inning to reach safely but fired a 97 mph fastball past Gunnar Henderson for the first out of the inning and limited the damage to two runs.

Over his past two starts, Birdsong has limited opponents to three runs over 10⅔ innings, a 2.53 ERA, after pitching to an 8.31 ERA his previous six starts.

In their previous seven losses behind Birdsong, the Giants had been shut out three times and scored an average of 2.6 runs.