Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 361

Board of Supervisors moves forward with environmental review for Carmel Lagoon Project

The Monterey County Board of Supervisors voted 4-0 to approve the environmental review for the Carmel Lagoon Project, that’s designed to help prevent flooding in the area.

During the meeting Tuesday, the county staff went over the changes made to the environmental review, a document they’ve been drafting since 2016. The county worked with contractors, a technical advising committee and stakeholders to make changes and updates.

The goal of the Carmel Lagoon Project is to reduce the necessity for mechanical breaching of the sandbar, maintain the current level of flood protection for public facilities and private structures north of the lagoon, protect the scenic route and to minimize infrastructure that could affect the natural wildlife and habitats in the area.

Currently, the county breaches the beach each year before the rainy season. The process involves draining water out of the lagoon and has been mostly successful in addition to garnering support from homeowners. However, public works and officials with the Monterey Resource Management Agency say it’s not a long-term solution.

Breaching the beach also affects the steelhead population and violates the California Coastal Act. The county currently breaches the beach using an emergency permit.

Originally, the board was looking to create a flood wall, or an Ecosystem Protective Barrier that would stretch from Mission Ranch, around the lagoon and to the parking lot at Carmel River State Beach. However that proposal received a lot of push back from homeowners and didn’t garner support from the Coastal Commission or State Parks Department.

Instead, the county proposed that a scenic route protective structure be built at mid-slope to help with the issue of blocking views, continue sandbar management or and look towards a home elevation program to ensure houses aren’t within flood range.

Annually, sandbar management costs public works about $160,000 a year from the general fund, though county staff say in the last couple of years that number has exceeded $200,000 and does not include staff’s time.

Creating a scenic route protective structure is expected to cost about $7.2 million, which is included in the Capital Improvement Program, but is currently unfunded.

County staff said the cost of home elevation program is unknown, but during the last estimate provided in 2015 the cost was about $213,000 per home, with the county looking at about 25 houses that need the elevation. Private homeowners will fund 25% of the project, and federal grant funds will make up the remaining 75%.

A comfortable contrast: In Saratoga Springs, high-stakes horse racing blends with healing springs

Patti Nickell | Tribune News Service

“From New York City you drive north for about 175 miles, turn left on Union Avenue and go back 100 years,” wrote the late sports columnist Red Smith.

Smith was referring to Saratoga Springs, a bucolic community nestled in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York.

I didn’t drive, opting instead for a four-hour train journey (mostly along scenic stretches of the Hudson River), but upon arrival I understood what Smith was talking about.

The Victorian houses on the tree-lined streets get a fresh coat of paint periodically. Some have been converted into apartments and condominiums, but you still expect a horse-drawn carriage to pull up in front of them, discharging a well-turned-out lady and gent.

The historic Gideon Putnam Hotel in the Saratoga Spa State Park is now officially the Gideon Putnam Spa & Resort, but it retains its air of gentility. (In case you’re wondering, Gideon Putnam was a 19th century entrepreneur and one of the founders of Saratoga Springs.)

The Gideon Putnam Resort & Spa in Saratoga Springs, New York, retains an air of gentility from the old days. (Discover Saratoga/TNS)

Broadway is lined with chic boutiques and trendy shops, but neighboring Congress Park is a sprawling green space — dotted with weeping willows and duck ponds — in the midst of which is a beautifully painted carousel.

Here, past overtakes present. The red brick building overlooking the park — now the Saratoga Springs History Museum — originally wascthe Canfield Casino.

Opened in 1870 by Irishman John Morrissey, a one-time bare-knuckle boxing champion and associate of New York City’s infamous Boss Tweed, it became popular with high-stakes types. Its exclusivity was the result of Morrissey’s iron-clad rules: “no ladies, no locals, no credit.”

Morrissey’s past may have been checkered (he was implicated in the murder of Bill “the Butcher” Poole as chronicled in Martin Scorsese’s film “Gangs of New York”), but he successfully cloaked himself in respectability, even being elected to Congress twice.

Figuratively speaking, his knuckles may have been scarred, but they were encased in kid gloves.

Take a fascinating peek at life during the Gilded Age on a guided tour or book the ghost tour (the building has been featured on Ghost Hunters.)

The birthplace of thoroughbred racing

Saratoga is known for its racecourse, America’s oldest (1863) where during its heyday, patrons such as actress Lillian Russell and her paramour, gambler Diamond Jim Brady, could be spotted hobnobbing with assorted Whitneys, Vanderbilts and DuPonts.

The track’s crown jewel is the Travers Stakes, held the third Saturday in August and often referred to as “the Mid-Summer Derby.”

Saratoga’s 40-day racing season runs from mid-July to Labor Day, but horses are on the agenda year round at the National Museum of Racing across from the racetrack.

Walk through a replica of a starting gate and begin your journey. Among the well-curated exhibits: a statue of Secretariat in the courtyard; saddles belonging to iconic Thoroughbreds Phar Lap, Seabiscuit and Whirlaway, and an entire gallery devoted to the Travers, often referred to as “the graveyard of champions.”

That moniker comes from the fact that Secretariat, Man ‘o War and Affirmed were just a few of the giants who, after winning big everywhere else, came up short at Saratoga.

Before the track were the baths

Before Saratoga Springs was a mecca for those with (gambling) fever, it was a mecca for those suffering from gout. The 65-mile-long Saratoga Fault is broken by fissures that produce springs rich in minerals and salts. The water’s healing qualities were first discovered by the region’s Mohawk and Oneida tribes who named the area Saraghoga, “place of swift waters.”

The Roosevelt Baths & Spa was named to honor President Franklin Roosevelt for his efforts to preserve the character of the area. (Discover Saratoga/TNS)

Dutch and English settlers followed, and even before the Revolutionary War the Springs had gained a reputation for mineral baths, reaching its zenith during the mid- to late 1800s when Saratoga was known as “the Queen of the Spas.”

Today, visitors who want to indulge head to Saratoga Spa State Park, site of the Roosevelt Baths. Resembling a European-style bathhouse, the baths (named to honor President Franklin Roosevelt for his efforts to preserve the character of Saratoga) reek of atmosphere and Old World charm.

The signature treatment is the 40-minute soak in a private bath where hot, fresh water is added to the natural cold mineral water, leaving one with a sense of invigoration and rejuvenation.

Beyond horses and baths

Despite its air of wealth and privilege, it would be a mistake to dismiss Saratoga as a relic of the past. The town bustles with activity.

Skidmore College students turn Putnam Street into one big party on the weekends; galleries, artists’ studios and shops have found homes in spruced-up Victorian bungalows; and more than 60 restaurants, most espousing a farm-to-table philosophy, are sprinkled throughout the town.

Despite its air of wealth and privilege, it would be a mistake to dismiss Saratoga as a relic of the past. The town bustles with activity. (Discover Saratoga/TNS)

Go to Sweet Mimi’s Café for breakfast and order their lemon ricotta pancakes, a winner on television’s Beat Bobby Flay.

If you have a hankering for ethically sourced caviar and a glass of bubbly, grab a seat in the intimate Bocage Champagne Bar, an adorable jewel box of a place just off the main drag.

For a meal with a view, opt for Lago by Druthers for the specialty pizzas and a table overlooking the shores of Lake Saratoga, or Prime for its premier steaks and a table overlooking the course at Saratoga National Golf Club.

However, if it’s culture you’re hungry for, you’ve come to the right place. Saratoga Performing Arts Center has an outdoor amphitheater in the middle of a nature preserve that serves as a summer venue for such prestigious companies as the New York City Ballet, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and the Philadelphia Orchestra.

An exhibit from the Saratoga Springs History Museum. (Discover Saratoga/TNS)

I had a chance to hear the orchestra during a remarkable performance of Richard Strauss’ “An Alpine Symphony,” conducted by Yannick Nezet-Seguin.

An epic opus about a day of mountain climbing in the Alps, the music runs the gamut from tinkling cowbells to an electrifying thunderstorm.

The ambitious choice of musical program (almost an hour in length and requiring 125 instruments) combined with the gorgeous setting made for an unforgettable evening.

Unforgettable is a word that could describe Saratoga Springs in general. Destinations don’t always live up to their hype, but Saratoga’s motto “Easy to reach … always exceptional,” could be considered, in racing terms, right on the money.

______

(For more information, go to discoversaratoga.org.)

______

©2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk explains why he was ‘scared to watch’ film of opener

SANTA CLARA – Brandon Aiyuk waited until the proverbial 11th hour to sign a contract extension, so perhaps it shouldn’t be surprising he delayed watching game film of Monday night’s season debut.

“I didn’t watch the film until this morning. I was really scared to watch it,” Aiyuk said before Wednesday’s practice. “But it was not as bad as I thought.”

Aiyuk acknowledged that “part of” his film-review hesitation stemmed from his drop in the end zone of a potential 13-yard touchdown “dime” from Purdy just before halftime.

Aiyuk caught 2-of-5 targets for 28 yards in the 32-19 win over the New York Jets. Both his catches went for 14-yard, third-down conversions, and his first target was broken up by All-Pro Sauce Gardner. So his part-time role indeed “was not as bad” as he feared.

Then again, his dropping of a potential touchdown pass drew the ire of Hall of Famer Peyton Manning on his ESPN broadcast.

“Get signed, get in training camp — there’s a reason for training camp, you need it — we need the reps,” Manning shouted. “Get those contracts done earlier so we can get in training camp. We don’t drop balls on opening night.”

How Aiyuk made it to Week 1 was indeed dramatic. Contentious negotiations had him on the verge of getting traded to several destinations, and he was on his way to the Pittsburgh Steelers until he showed up at Shanahan’s office just 12 days before opening night.

Shanahan, in confirming Sunday’s report by Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer, said he raced upstairs to general manager John Lynch’s office on Thursday, Aug. 29 to block Aiyuk’s potential trade to the Steelers.

“I had to sprint because I had a team meeting at 8:30 (a.m.), and I was getting ready for my team meeting and Brandon just randomly walked in and talked to me at 8:15,” Shanahan said. “That’s very Brandon like to pick that time to get ready for something else.

“Ten minutes into talking to him, I knew we needed to talk to him more when the meeting was over. Meetings can go awhile and I knew we were in discussions a lot with this. I actually called up to John and he didn’t answer or pick up on the first ring. I just wanted to make sure he wasn’t on the other line making any trades. So I ran up there and just said, ‘Hold on, let’s talk after this meeting.’ ”

Aiyuk’s four-year, $120 million extension was hammered out by sunset Thursday and he signed the following day. “There was no trade done,” Shanahan insisted. “You just never know when stuff is going to happen, when you’re going through negotiations and trades. That’s why it’s hard to keep up with all the reports because stuff is going on.”

Aiyuk certainly kept up with the booming market for NFL wide receivers leading into this offseason. The highest-paid extension ($35 million annually) went to Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson, who the 49ers face on Sunday and who Aiyuk described as: “Dynamic. Just got to know where he’s at on every single play, because he’s that good.”

Shanahan on Jeffereson: “The way he can cut with his speed. There’s not an angle he can’t really run at, at full speed and drop his weight. He’s also fearless in how he plays. His hands are as good as anyone. I don’t know him personally, but from what I’ve heard people who have been with him, they say he’s one of the smartest players. He’s the full package.”

Aiyuk expects “repetition” will help him improve as fifth season gets going. He played 43 of 72 offensive snaps Monday night while Chris Conley mixed in with 29 and Ronnie Bell 13.

“He did a good job,” Shanahan said. “I never felt like he wasn’t conditioned. We rotated him more than usual which definitely helped.”

Aiyuk has scored a touchdown in four of his last five road games.

High School Game of the Week: Palma braces for the heat in Yuma

EDITOR’S NOTE: This weekend’s schedule and The Herald’s Top 10 are on the bottom of this article.

SALINAS>>The message being preached for the overnight road trip to Arizona harkens back to last year’s state championship football game for Palma.

It’s a business trip.

While it’s just a nonleague game, when the Chieftains line up Friday against Yuma Catholic, they will be facing the No. 1 ranked Division 4A team in Arizona.

Unlike its December state championship game, however, when the temperature was 68 degrees in Pasadena, the field temperature in Yuma will hover around the century mark at 7:30 p.m. That is actually 10 degrees cooler than what the weather was like in Yuma on Tuesday, when it soared to 112.

“You can’t simulate the heat,” Palma coach Jeff Carnazzo said. “It’s impossible. It’s one of the reasons we’ve played a lot of players in our first two games. It’s been part of our preparation for going down there.”

Carnazzo stressed in Monday’s film session to begin the hydration process now, not just for the game, but for the 10-hour bus ride to Arizona.

Palma’s Isaak Hernandez gains yardage up the middle before being tackled by King City’s Fabian Herrera in the Chieftains’ 41-0 win over King City at Salinas High School. (Don Fukui — Herald Correspondent)

“It will be a great bonding experience for our players being on the road,” Carnazzo said. “This will present some adversity. In the end, we’ll be better for doing this.”

The reigning State Division 4A champion Chieftains planned to practice at 7 a.m. on Thursday before boarding a bus, with an estimated arrival time around 7 p.m.

“When we get down there, it will be more about killing time on Friday,” Carnazzo said. “We have to be out of the hotel by noon. We’ll do some bowling then a walk-through in a cooler.”

Palma (2-0) will drive back after the game, where it doesn’t expect to return to its campus until 9 a.m. the following day.

“It’s going to be rough,” Carnazzo said. “We will be tired and worn out. The good thing is they can sleep on the bus. And we’ll have an extra day to recover, since we don’t play again until the following Saturday.”

The Shamrocks, who won their first 13 games last year before falling in their state title game, are unbeaten this fall at 2-0, having outscored their first two opponents 80-13.

“The film says they’re very talented,” Carnazzo said. “A lot of those guys played on last year’s team. They want to throw the ball. It’s hard to find a weakness. They have a legacy of good football.”

So do the Chieftains, who are chasing a record 40th straight playoff berth, having seen two generations of players from the same family come through during this historic run.

Having yet to allow a point in its first two games, Palma has outscored opponents 75-0, the first time since 2014 that it has posted back-to-back shutouts.

“Our defense is creating some of those points by putting us in good field position,” Carnazzo said. “We need to face a team like this. We can’t keep having these slow starts.”

Carnazzo was speaking about the Chieftains’ defense spending the first five-plus minutes of last week’s game against King City on the field before inducing a missed field goal.

Last year Palma was notorious for getting out the gates slow, trailing in 10 of its last 13 games, including three postseason games.

“It’s not on the players, it’s on us as coaches,” Carnazzo said. “What can we do to make them more prepared during the week? Can we make adjustments earlier?”

Multiple defensive looks are part of the game plan as Yuma Catholic has come out and torched its first two opponents through the air, with quarterback Nash Ott having tossed seven touchdowns.

Ott, who has thrown for nearly 500 yards while sitting out most of the fourth quarter in the first two games, threw for 131 yards and a touchdown in last year’s 14-0 win over Palma.

While the Shamrocks have seen 14 different players catch passes, 6-foot-1 Darryl Coleman and 6-2, 185-pound Sir Stokes have college scouts eying their services.

Coleman has turned six catches into 181 yards and three touchdowns, while Stokes has five catches for just under 100 yards and a touchdown.

Last year the pair combined for 11 catches for 113 yards against Palma, with Stokes catching a touchdown from Ott in the fourth quarter to secure the win.

“You have to keep everything in front of you,” Carnazzo said. “Play physical. We did a good job at times against them last year in the first half. We’ll mix up coverages and help our DBs.”

The Chieftains do have one of the better cornerbacks in the county in Dominic Chaidez, who has a pick-six to his credit this year, as well as two kickoff returns for touchdowns.

“We’ll have to blitz at times, mix it up,” Carnazzo said. “You can’t give them one look. They are dynamic with what they do. They can run the ball down your throat in their two tight end formation. They are similar to Salinas in their physicality.”

While Palma’s passing game has been efficient through two games, with Patrick Driscoll completing 11-of-14 passes, it hasn’t really faced a lot of adversity, in part because the ground game has been so effective.

Sophomore tailback Eli Dukes has been better than advertised, with 328 yards on just 27 carries, averaging 12.1 yards each time he touches the ball.

Dating back to last year, Dukes has rushed for over 100 yards in six straight games, having piled up 1,308 yards in his last eight games with 17 touchdowns.

“Our backs are dynamic, all three of them,” Carnazzo said. “But we need to put a hat on a hat. Imagine how good their numbers might be if given more daylight.”

The maturation process for a young offensive line continues to evolve, with sophomore guard Luke Mahler growing into his position for Palma.

“One of the themes in our last meeting is we have to continue to get better,” Carnazzo said. “And we have. We’re a lot further along than I thought we would be at this point.”

—–

This weekend’s games

THURSDAY

Sequoia at Alisal, 7 p.m.

Marina at King City, 7:30 p.m.

Gonzales at Pacific Grove, 7:30 p.m.

FRIDAY

Alvarez at Rancho San Juan, 7:30 p.m.

North Salinas at Santa Cruz, 7:30 p.m.

St. Francis, Watsonville at Greenfield, 7:30 p.m.

Carmel at Miramonte (Orinda), 7 p.m.

Clovis at Salinas, 7:30 p.m.

Palma at Yuma Catholic, 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY

Branham at Soledad, 12:30 p.m.

Stevenson at George Washington, San Francisco, 2 p.m.

Sobrato at North County, 2 p.m.

Trinity at Coastal Christian, 6 p.m.

COMMUNITY COLLEGES

Hartnell vs. Redwoods at Humboldt State, 1 p.m.

MPC at Los Medanos, 1 p.m.

THE HERALD’S TOP 10 SCHEDULE

1. Carmel (2-0) at Miramonte (Orinda), 7 p.m., Friday

2. Salinas (1-0) vs. Clovis, 7:30 p.m., Friday

3. Palma (2-0) at Yuma Catholic (Arizona), 7:30 p.m., Friday

4. Soquel (0-2) vs. Valley Christian (San Jose), 7 p.m., Friday

5. Monterey (1-1) bye.

6. Aptos (1-1) vs. Watsonville, 7 p.m., Friday

7. Hollister (1-1)  vs. Oak Grove (San Jose), 7 p.m., Friday

8. North County (2-0)  vs. Sobrato, 2 p.m., Saturday

9. Scotts Valley (1-1)  at San Lorenzo Valley, 2 p.m., Saturday.

10. North Salinas (1-1) at Santa Cruz, 7:30 p.m., Friday

‘This is not a bill’: How to decipher explanations of benefits and pay for your medical care

Christopher Snowbeck | (TNS) The Minnesota Star Tribune

Bobbie Putman-Bailey knows how to solve problems when it comes to medical bills and health insurance.

In one instance, upon the surprise realization her specialist doctor had gone out of network for her health plan, the 42-year-old Maple Grove, Minnesota, resident convinced the insurer to overturn coverage denials that could have cost her hundreds of dollars. The key, Putman-Bailey said, was to write an appeal that was long on details, while also agreeing to eventually switch to an in-network doctor — just not immediately, since she was beginning a new treatment at the time.

In another case, she wrangled with a specialty pharmacy to prevent billing for a shipment of the wrong medication to her house. It helped, Putman-Bailey said, that she was prompt in calling to report the problem and already had talked with the pharmacy several times about ambiguities with its online ordering system.

For consumers, the first step in all such disputes is to stay on top of billing documents, Putman-Bailey advised, and ask questions as soon as possible. She recognizes, of course, this can be easier said than done.

“It sucks because you are sick, and you’re chronically ill, and there are days when … you don’t have the energy to get up and look at things,” said Putman-Bailey, who has Crohn’s disease. “But if you wait until things show up in your mailbox, it’s almost too late.”

Getting sick in the U.S. health care system can trigger an avalanche of confusing paperwork. Here’s what you need to know about how to read a medical bill — plus those documents proclaiming “This Is Not a Bill” from health insurers — to help prevent the illness from spreading to your bank account.

Bills vs. EOBs

Two types of documents typically arrive in a patient’s mailbox and/or online portal after receiving health care services: One is a medical bill from a doctor’s office or health system, the second is an“explanation of benefits” form from your health insurer.

The insurance document, called an EOB, often arrives first. It reflects the health plan’s evaluation of the service received, including the amount of insurance coverage for the service, according to the Minnesota Council of Health Plans, a trade group for nonprofit health insurers in the state.

EOBs typically list the provider’s charge for a service. They also show the negotiated price the insurance company and provider agreed to consider full payment. And then, the form shows how the negotiated cost will split between the insurer and the patient.

Insurers typically describe this split as “cost-sharing,” which factors in deductibles and co-insurance that are key for patients to understand when shopping for a health plan.

“If there is a remaining bill, the doctor’s office directly sends you a bill for the remaining amount,” said Lucas Nesse, chief executive of the Minnesota Council of Health Plans, via email. “If the amount on the bill you receive from your doctor’s office does not match the amount on your EOB, the first step is to call your clinic to see if they have updated their bill to reflect payment from your insurance.”

Patients often notice on EOBs the contrast between the health care provider’s charge and the negotiated payment rate because the discounts can be very large.

“You can see them allow only 10% of the charge sometimes,” said Bill Foley, an insurance advocate and volunteer leader with Cancer Legal Care, a nonprofit group in Oakdale. “The spread can be tremendous.”

Once the bill comes from the doctor’s office or health system, patients should compare the amount due with the EOB to make sure they agree on the patient’s financial responsibility. When they don’t match, patients should call the health care provider and/or health insurer.

“Typically, your medical bill should not be more than what your explanation of benefits says you owe,” said Julia Dreier, the deputy commissioner of insurance at the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

Starting Oct. 1, a new state law goes into effect that lets patients request a review from their health care provider to check the accuracy of medical codes used in their billing. The law prohibits providers from making further collection efforts during this process, which culminates in a notice sent to patients within 30 days of the review’s completion.

“A medical provider will always … provide notice about whether the coding was accurate,” said Joe Schindler, vice president of finance policy and analytics at the Minnesota Hospital Association.

Comparing EOBs and medical bills can be difficult when health care providers practice “global billing” and roll all charges into one final bill, said Eric Ellsworth, director for health data strategy at Consumers’ Checkbook Health. Schindler of the Hospital Association noted patients can always ask for a more detailed bill from their health care provider.

Denials and codes

Consumer advocates say patients, in many ways, are better off relying on their online portals for billing documents rather than paper statements that arrive in the mail. That’s because a health insurer’s decision on whether to pay or deny a claim can change as more information becomes available.

Foley recommends, in fact, patients compare the bill they receive in the mail to the online version to see if that one is more current.

When there’s a balance due, the key question is: Why?

“Is it because insurance hasn’t adjudicated your claim yet?” Foley asked. “Is it because you have a legitimate out-of-pocket expense? Is it due to a denial?”

There are several types of denials, Ellsworth said. Some services just aren’t a covered benefit, he added, pointing to in-vitro fertilization as an example in a number of health plans. Sometimes there’s a limitation patients might not have appreciated, such as when an insurer will pay for cataract surgery but not some multifocal lenses.

Insurers might deny a claim because the health plan deems the service not medically necessary. Some denials result in financial responsibility for patients, Ellsworth said, while others create a financial risk for the health care provider.

The Minnesota Council of Health Plans said insurers list on the EOB a “reason code” to explain the reason for a claim’s denial. Reasons can vary from services being out of network to the lack of prior authorization from a health plan.

It’s not clear exactly how often denials happen across all types of insurance, but consumer advocates say appeals are few and far between. They worry the process of filing appeals is just too confusing and/or difficult for patients to navigate.

To appeal a denied claim, patients must navigate the language of medical coding, which is how health care providers and health insurers communicate about the services provided. Many medical bills and EOBs don’t actually include these codes, so patients must contact either their provider or health plan to understand. Patients can then use the codes and descriptions to determine whether their insurer processed their claims correctly according to their plan’s benefits.

“If there’s a balance due that you’re questioning, then it’s really important to know those codes,” Foley said. “We’ve set up this system where all of these claims are handled by computers now instead of people. So, the codes are really key. That’s the magic.”

When facing big bills for out-of-network care, patients should explore whether the federal No Surprises Act provides any help. And advocates say rather than trying to navigate all this alone, patients should seek help from a friend, family member or even government agencies.

“If someone’s stuck, I would encourage people to call us,” said Dreier of the Commerce Department.

‘I’m not trying to duck the bill’

The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office has online tips for handling medical bills and pointers for ensuring your portion is accurate. The state Commerce Department has online information about denials and appeals. Ellsworth of Consumers’ Checkbook said people in “self-insured” health plans that large employers typically run — especially those operating in multiple states — can seek help from the Employee Benefit Services Administration (EBSA) at the U.S. Department of Labor.

Some advocates refer to a book called “Never Pay the First Bill” when talking about how consumers should think about questionable medical bills. Patients often want to pay promptly, Foley said, either because they received good care or from fear of being sent to collections and suffering credit score dings.

Those are good instincts, Foley said, yet there are times when he advises consumers to let everything play out a bit before making a payment.

“The key is: Just keep the provider in the loop. Let them know that you are aware that they’ve sent you a balance-due statement but that you’re still working through the details of it,” he said. “Make sure you are staying in contact with your provider and telling them: ‘Hey, I’m not trying to duck the bill.’ That’s really an important thing.”

Putman-Bailey, the patient from Maple Grove, said to be suspicious if any medical paperwork is delayed since that can be a sign of trouble.

The Minnesota Medical Association said providers must submit claims to insurance companies within six months of the date of service, although most are quicker. Insurers generally pay claims within 30 days of receipt, the Medical Association said, and EOBs are available when claims process.

As for phone calls, Putman-Bailey said she’s learned the importance of recording the date of the conversation, the name of the customer service representative and the agent’s phone number, if possible. Another tip: When insurers assert a service is not medically necessary, Putman-Bailey asks to talk with the physician who made that decision.

The process can feel adversarial and is often emotional, Putman-Bailey said, but she always tries to stress how it’s not personal.

“I usually am saying to the person on the phone: ‘This is not about you,’” she said, “‘this is about the system.’”

©2024 The Minnesota Star Tribune. Visit at startribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Moon Zappa shines a light on growing up with celebrity parents in new memoir

In case you’re not a Gen Xer with immediate knowledge of all things Moon Unit Zappa, let’s review: The 56-year-old Angeleno is many things – a writer, actor, mother and yoga teacher, who also happens to be the daughter of avant-garde musician and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Frank Zappa, and the voice of his only Top 40 commercial hit, “Valley Girl.”

More than 20 years ago, Zappa made her first attempt at publishing a book about “how difficult it is to be hippie royalty AND try to find your own identity in the shadow of a certifiable self-made ‘genius.’ “

That’s a line from her 2001 novel, “America the Beautiful,” but it also works as a good summation of her latest book, the memoir “Earth to Moon.”

It’s a bare-knuckled, funny and often poignant nonfiction account of what it meant to grow up in a celebrity home in the ‘70s with “pagan absurdist” parents Frank and Gail, who reveled in flouting convention. We’re talking about having one of your dad’s many groupies living in the basement, calling your parents by their first names because they rejected the labels of mom and dad, and having a painting of an orgy as decor for a home with four children living in it.

“My nanny was a Ouija board,” Zappa quipped. “You shouldn’t know who [occultist] Aleister Crowley is at 5 years old.”

Her parents selected her first and middle names to seal her destiny: “Frank gave Gail two choices, Moon or Motorhead. Motorhead was a member of his band, so Gail selected Moon, and Unit was because I was the firstborn and we became a family unit. And so from the time I was very small, I really lived up to my name being this thing that was circumnavigating my father, the sun.”

Anyway, back to that first book. Why did she wait more than two decades to take another stab at publishing?

There are practical reasons, like the fact that she became a mother and was busy raising a child, and that she professes to have “a very hermit-like personality. I’m a very private person.”

But there’s more to it than that.

“I was also really traumatized by writing the first book,” Zappa said during a recent Zoom interview from her home. “I put all this time into working on it, like five years, and then it came out on September 11 [of 2001]. So all of that work was just gone in a Pompeii moment. I knew it wasn’t personal, but it was, still, just a shock that I could put that much effort into something, and it just could be like, poof! Gone.

“Growing up in Los Angeles and in the Hollywood scene, the legend here is that if you finally do your piece just the way you want to do it, all doors open. And it just…didn’t happen.”

Granted, that legend — better called a myth — didn’t factor in a terrorist attack that killed thousands and threw the world into chaos. It didn’t help that the book was called ‘America the Beautiful” when, she says, “America had changed. [The novel] was a girly summer read, and the world was like, ‘We’re going after people. We don’t lay at the beach anymore.”

The novelized attempt at telling her story aside, with “Earth to Moon,” Zappa seems to have matured to the point where she can grapple with her complicated history, no holds barred.

“Yeah, no, thank you for pointing that out,” Zappa said. “It was just too painful to tell it in a nonfiction way when I was younger. So I got creative. I thought, ‘Oh, I’ll just make this like a hodge-podge of events and then fictionalize things and throw in some hilarity. But it was just thinking, ‘How do I want to tell a story so that it is palatable, that some of these experiences are not so painful for the reader?’”

Related ArticlesBooks | Review: Selling your house? Just hope the would-be buyer in ‘The House Hunt’ doesn’t show up Books | Local books: Business exec pens a primer on ‘how to make it anywhere’ Books | Can travel transform your life? This author says yes Books | Author talked to pilots about a ‘Worst Case Scenario.’ It’s terrifying Books | TJ Klune says ‘Calvin & Hobbes’ inspired a ‘Somewhere Beyond the Sea’ character

But then, as Zappa details in her memoir, as the years wore on, she experienced a series of painful betrayals orchestrated by her mother Gail, whom she cared for during the end stages of her battle with lung cancer. Gail died in 2015.

“Gail did many things…All the adorable, ‘It’s my family’ stuff just went away, and I was stripped bare. I was, like, ‘I have to write nonfiction to save my life.’

“I had to think about what family is, what trust is, what loyalty is, what promises are.”

In wrestling her story to the page, she also had trouble going back to the period of time in the ‘80s that made her into a pop culture touchstone — so much so that the first draft of her memoir she turned in to her publisher didn’t include anything about the making of the hit song “Valley Girl.”

“I had a real blind spot about this time in my life. I’m not even joking,” she said. “It’s hilarious. I literally turned in my memoir with no mention of ‘Valley Girl.’ And so, obviously, they said, ‘You’re missing a couple of stories…’

“[Those were] some of the last pieces that I wrote, because I just didn’t realize how much energy, discomfort and pain was around that particular time. I guess I just wasn’t ready to really roll my sleeves up and look at it. So that took a minute.”

Zappa remembers the feeling of competing for her famous father’s attention not just within the family, but with the world at large.

“I was so desperate for my father’s attention because when he shined his light on you, you felt like you were the only person in the room,” said Zappa.

Then she “figured out the secret formula” for spending time with him: He loved working — recording and performing music.

“I slipped a note under his studio door” proposing they do a song together, she recalled.

“And so he took me up on the offer. On a school night, he woke me up. He said, ‘Do that funny voice that you do,’ because I was going to school in the [San Fernando] Valley, and the girls had this lovely lyrical cadence that just was hilarious to me. And so we recorded a few tracks.”

The rest, as they say, is history.

The popularity of the song, which also inspired the 1983 movie “Valley Girl,” opened up a few acting roles for Zappa. “I wanted to be an actress like Cher, like Carol Burnett. I love those variety style shows and those little vignettes.”

She wanted to be good at the craft of acting, so she began taking lessons — which, in a surprise plot twist, you could say led to her penning two books and numerous articles for magazines.

“I was thinking, ‘OK, I want to have craft here,’ and one teacher in particular, Roy London, was just this an unbelievable teacher. He really saw me journaling and in the class taking feverish notes. He just turned to me and he said, ‘Moon, you’re a writer.’”

49ers’ Christian McCaffrey: ‘My mentality is that I’m playing this week’

SANTA CLARA — Less than a week ago, 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey stood before reporters and with clipped answers said he expected to play against the New York Jets.

McCaffrey met the media again Wednesday and said the same thing about Sunday’s road game in Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings.

“My mentality is that I’m playing this week,” McCaffrey said. “That’s where I’m at. That’s my mentality every week. I’m not lying. I think as a soon as a player says, `Maybe I’ll play, maybe I won’t’ that’s not a good mentality to go into the week with when you’re kind of on the fence. So for me, I’m ready to go.”

So there you have it. McCaffrey’s answer will almost always be he’s going to play because he knows no other way to approach it.

The end game as it pertains to facing Minnesota is less certain. McCaffrey was listed as limited in practice with a calf/Achilles injury, just as he was last week. The fact that he was limited — and not out — should be interpreted as good news, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan.

“I’m not a doctor, but I’d take that as a positive,” Shanahan said.

And in case you happen to have drafted the NFL’s reigning Offensive Player of the Year No. 1 on your fantasy team and are worried about it, Shanahan said a four-week stint on injured reserve to get McCaffrey completely healthy isn’t currently an option.

“I’ve never considered that,” Shanahan said. “I considered playing him last week, so definitely not thinking about four weeks off.”

The likelihood is that McCaffrey, Shanahan, general manager John Lynch and the medical staff will see how practice goes, then come to a decision later in the week about his availability for the Vikings. Maybe even on game day.

According to McCaffrey, that’s how it went down on Monday.

“There’s been weeks when I go the full week not even feeling good enough to do the walkthrough, but I wake up and my body’s capable of cool things,” McCaffrey said. “I woke up and it was a group decision. A very tough one. I hate not playing, but I look at it as a chess move and hopefully it’s something we can benefit from the rest of the season.”

While McCaffrey sustained a calf injury in Week 17 last season against Washington — he sat out a meaningless regular-season finale against the Rams before being listed on the injury report before the playoff game against Green Bay — he said the injuries are unrelated.

“It doesn’t have anything to do with last season, it’s just something I’m dealing with that I’ll get right,” McCaffrey said.

McCaffrey’s absence thrust Jordan Mason into the role of lead back, and the third-year player responded with 28 carries for 147 yards and a touchdown as the 49ers won 32-19. Rather than give Mason a pep talk after realizing he wouldn’t play, McCaffrey left him alone.

“I’m so proud of him,” McCaffrey said. “When you’re in a rhythm, in a groove, you let ’em be. And he showed that, and I was so pumped for him, and just everything that he’s done all camp. He’s earned that and it showed.”

From a different vantage point than usual, McCaffrey took in the 49ers’ crisp and efficient opening win and was impressed with what he saw.

“I thought it was awesome,” McCaffrey said. “Week 1, you’re always expecting a little bit of slop, but I thought the mindset was great. Obviously there’s always things to work on, but watching from the sideline, getting that perspective, I thought the intent was there. Obviously you hate sitting out, but to get a win and for the Niners to be 1-0 is a good thing.”

In other injury updates, defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (knee) did not practice, nor did linebacker Dee Winters (ankle). Listed as limited for the light practice along with McCaffrey were safety Talanoa Hufanga (knee), guard Aaron Banks (finger/calf) and wide receiver Jauan Jennings (ankle).

Kittle loses bet with Purdy

A 20-19 win by Iowa State over Iowa meant tight end George Kittle had to meet the media wearing an Iowa State helmet.

Last season, when Iowa won, Purdy conducted a press conference wearing the a the head of the Hawkeye mascot.

A video of Purdy wildly celebrating the win of his alma mater was widely circulated Saturday on social media. Not long after that he made a phone call to Kittle.

“He texted me the score instantly,” Kittle said. “I said, ‘Thank you, Brock. You ruined my whole weekend.’ ”

George Kittle wearing Brock Purdy’s Iowa State helmet after Iowa’s loss Saturday pic.twitter.com/o8NG2wWQTT

— Cam Inman (@CamInman) September 11, 2024

Serious business

Left tackle Trent Williams, who missed all of training camp before signing a three-year, $82.66 million deal, said after the Jets win he was impressed with the “laser focus” of his teammates. Everyone was locked in, serious and obviously prepared.

Nick Bosa, who was a holdout last year, had a similar reaction.

“It’s funny because when I came in last year, I was talking to Trent how it was high-fives and hugs right when you walk in, and then everybody is, `All right, we’ve been here, we’re working. It’s work. It’s football,’ ” Bosa said. “That’s just how it is here and why we’re able to have a good team year in, year out.”

Linebacker Fred Warner said the mindset begins with veterans and filters through younger players.

Related ArticlesSan Francisco 49ers | 49ers mailbag: Will McCaffrey boost first win in Minnesota since 1992? San Francisco 49ers | 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk explains why he was ‘scared to watch’ film of opener San Francisco 49ers | 49ers’ Jake Moody is NFC Special Teams Player of the Week San Francisco 49ers | How to watch the 49ers vs. Vikings on Sunday San Francisco 49ers | 49ers appear impervious to bad vibes, outside noise after convincing win over Jets

“I think it happens organically when your guys who are your leaders are doing things the right way day in and day out,” Warner said. “My job is to make sure I’m doing things exactly the right way as consistently as I can, and the younger guys are going to see that and want to emulate that and make sure they’re not letting me or the rest of their teammates down.”

To Deebo Samuel, the approach this year is tied to the 49ers’ 25-22 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII.

“Especially coming off the Super Bowl loss, I think a lot of us used it as motivation to come in and put it behind us and not look back at what happened but move forward and control what we can day to day and week to week,” Samuel said.

Horoscopes Sept. 11, 2024: Harry Connick Jr., put your energy where it counts

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Taraji P. Henson, 54; Harry Connick Jr., 57; Virginia Madsen, 63; Scott Patterson, 66.

Happy Birthday: Take your time. Make choices using reason, facts and research. Be detailed when expressing yourself; leave nothing to someone else’s interpretation. Keep your analysis simple, your life less complicated and your connections worthwhile. Life is too short to waste on nonsense. Protect against anyone trying to take advantage of you. Put your energy where it counts, and don’t feel guilty for looking out for yourself. Your numbers are 3, 15, 19, 28, 35, 46, 48.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Take charge, and use your energetic attitude to impress and persuade others to participate in your plans. Express yourself with charisma, but don’t inflate what you have to offer. Facts and truth matter if you want to maintain a stellar reputation. Personal growth and romance are on the rise. 5 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Changes to how you do business or handle your affairs will pay off. Make your money work for you. A change at work or home that raises your income or lowers your overhead will ease stress and encourage you to pursue what makes you happy. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Keep your records updated. Don’t lose sight of what’s on your agenda and how much it costs. Focus on health, well-being and doing the best job possible. Leave nothing to chance or up to someone else’s jurisdiction. Take the initiative and protect your interests. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Set the bar high and use your intellect, experience and intuition to guide you. You will get back what you put into your pursuits, so don’t be stingy with your time or talents. High energy, flexibility and innovative ideas will lead to opportunity. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Get out, participate, network and gather information to help you get ahead. Connect with people who have as much to contribute as you, and you’ll be privy to unique ideas that will encourage you to reset your goals and update your skills. Personal gain looks promising. 5 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Offer your time rather than your cash. Someone will take advantage of you if you let them. It’s okay to change your mind or to say no to someone pressuring you. Don’t wait until you are exasperated; if you aren’t interested in someone or something, say no. 2 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): A change will lift your spirits and energy levels. It’s time to start something new and to indulge in activities that get you feeling fit and good about how you look and what you have to offer. Travel, education and conversing with forward-thinking people will transform you. 4 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Avoid scams and offers that sound too easy. A reasonable assessment of what’s possible will help you change direction and improve your life, not buy into questionable hype. Stick to what you know you can achieve with the skills and experience you offer. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Focus on how you look and feel and what you can do, not the impossible. Opportunity depends on you, so don’t look for freebies when input, intelligence and ingenuity are necessary. Rule out and walk away from emotional manipulation and pressure. Rely on yourself, not others. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Pay attention to where every dollar goes. Update documents before penalties are applied. Stay on top of your game and control the outcome of situations that can go for or against you. Don’t neglect your health, hygiene or emotional well-being. Be honest in affairs of the heart. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Socializing, networking and showing interest in what others do will lead to profits. Consider safe investments and avoid emotional spending or involvement in joint ventures that aren’t sound. Pay attention, be resourceful and focus on personal growth, gain and peace of mind. 4 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Take the path to enlightenment. Let your intuition lead the way, and allow your conscience to be your barometer. Consider ways to make your home user-friendly without going into debt. Sell off items you don’t need and clear space for something you want to pursue. 2 stars

Birthday Baby: You are smart, responsive and emotional. You are calculating and efficient.

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.

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. 

To pumped-up Democrats, Harris was everything Biden was not in confronting Trump in debate

By CALVIN WOODWARD

WASHINGTON (AP) — To many Democrats, Kamala Harris was everything Joe Biden was not in confronting Donald Trump on the debate stage: forceful, fleet of foot, relentless in going after her opponent.

In a pivot from Biden’s debate meltdown in June, Democrats who gathered in bars, watch parties and other venues Tuesday night found lots to cheer in her drive to rattle the Republican.

In a race for the White House that surveys say is exceptionally close, with both sides looking for an edge, it was the Democrats who came away more exuberant after the nationally televised debate.

“She prosecuted Donald Trump tonight,” said Alina Taylor, 51, a high school special education teacher who joined hundreds of people on a football field of the historically Black Salem Baptist Church of Abington in a suburb of Philadelphia, where people watched on a 33-foot (10 meter) screen.

As for Trump, she said, “I was appalled” by his performance. “People were laughing at him because he wasn’t making very much sense.”

People watch the ABC News presidential debate between Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump at a debate watch party at The Abbey on September 10, 2024 in West Hollywood, California. Harris and Trump are facing off in their first presidential debate of the 2024 presidential cycle. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

In Seattle, people gathered at Massive, a queer nightclub where scores watched the debate on a projector set up in front of the club’s large disco ball. The crowd laughed and cheered when Trump branded Harris a Marxist. More cheers when the debate moderator called out Trump’s false claim that some states legalize the killing of babies after birth.

“He’s getting smoked,” one said.

But in Brentwood, Tennessee, Sarah Frances Morris heard nothing at her watch party to shake her support of Trump.

“I think he beat her on the border,” she said. “I think he also beat her on actually having plans and letting the American people know what those are. And I think that Kamala Harris likes to mention that she has plans for things, but she doesn’t actually ever elaborate on what those plans are.”

Morris conceded she was watching history being made, “because we have our first Black woman running for president.” But, she added, “I don’t think she delivered to get her to that place she needed to be.”

Harris supporter Dushant Puri, 19, a UC Berkeley student, said the vice president took command before the first words were spoken — when she crossed the stage to shake Trump’s hand. “I thought that was pretty significant,” Puri said. “It was their first interaction, and I thought Harris was asserting herself.”

At the same watch party, fellow student Angel Aldaco, 21, said that unlike Biden, Harris “came in with a plan and was more concise.”

People watch the presidential debate during a debate watch party at Penn Social on September 10, 2024 in Washington, DC. Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump face off in their first debate Tuesday evening at The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Aldaco was struck by one of the night’s oddest moments, when Trump “went on that rampage about eating pets.” That’s when Trump endorsed a baseless conspiracy theory that immigrants were stealing and eating people’s dogs ands cats. Harris was incredulous. “That was good,” the student said.

It’s questionable how much viewers learned about what Harris would do as president or whether she won over independents or wavering Republicans. But for some Democrats, despondent if not panicked after Biden’s fumbling debate performance, it was enough to see a Democratic candidate getting seriously under Trump’s skin.

“He is pretty incapable when he is riled up,” said Ikenna Amilo, an accountant at a Democratic watch party in a small concert venue in downtown Portland, Maine.

People watch the presidential debate during a debate watch party at Penn Social on September 10, 2024 in Washington, DC. Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump face off in their first debate Tuesday evening at The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

“When you poke him, he is really reactive and he doesn’t show the temperament you want in a president, so I think Kamala has shown she’s doing a good job.”

Annetta Clark, 50, a Harris supporter from Vallejo, California, watched at a house party hosted by the Oakland Bay Area chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women. To her, the second presidential debate was a mighty relief from the one in June.

“I couldn’t stomach the first one, if I’m being honest,” Clark said. “I tried to watch it and it was a little too much. This one I was able to enjoy.” On Trump’s performance: “It was almost like talking to a child with him.” Harris? “Fabulous job.”

Related ArticlesNational Politics | Taylor Swift endorses Kamala Harris for president National Politics | Key takeaways from a debate that featured tense clashes and closed with a Taylor Swift endorsement National Politics | Trump falsely accuses immigrants in Ohio of abducting and eating pets National Politics | PHOTOS: Harris and Trump meet in presidential debate National Politics | What to know about the rules for the Harris-Trump debate

Democrat Natasha Salas, 63, of Highland, Indiana, saw the debate from an Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority watch party at a bistro in Markham, Illinois, and welcomed Harris’ call to cool the political temperature — even as the vice president denounced Trump at every turn.

“We all want the same things, Democrats and Republicans,” Salas said. “We are more alike than different. I want to see the country move forward and less divisiveness.”

Interest in the debate transcended national borders. From a shelter for migrants in Tijuana, Mexico, where dozens watched a translated version of the debates on a television, Rakan al Muhana, 40, an asylum-seeker from Gaza, became animated when the candidates discussed Israel and Palestine.

“We are running from the war,” he said. “We are running from the Israeli bombs. He (Trump) doesn’t see us as human. My daughter, who is four months — for him, she’s a terrorist.”

Al Muhana has been on a four-month journey from Gaza to this border city, with his wife and four children. They left when both his mother and father were killed in a bombing.

Associated Press journalists Michael Rubinkam in Philadelphia; George Walker in Nashville; Robert Bukaty in Portland, Maine; Lindsey Wasson in Seattle; Godofredo Vasquez in Berkeley, California; and Gregory Bull in Tijuana, Mexico, contributed to this report.

Beth Peerless, Where it’s at: Talking jazz with Gary Meek

The list of things Monterey is famous for is long and varied. Being the first capital of California is not the least of it, that’s for sure.

Depending on what melts your butter, as a college professor of mine loved to say, you could point to jazz music as being synonymous with Monterey because of the historical Monterey Jazz Festival, held at the Monterey Fairgrounds since 1958. Yet, that is not the reason that Los Angeles-born-and-raised jazz musician Gary Meek, 63, moved to the Monterey area 16 years ago.

“Straight up, my wife said she was moving to Monterey, and you’re welcome to join me,” Meek said laughing, adding it was for family reasons and he’s no dummy when it comes to making a good decision. “And it was at that point, in 2008, the scene in Los Angeles had really changed. The record business was gone, you could get everything for free, why pay for it? I was still working with (drummer) Dave Weckl a little bit. And (bassist) Brian Bromberg and keyboardist Jeff Lorber only occasionally. When I first moved up here I had to go back to L.A. every month to make ends meet.

“I said to myself in regards to Monterey, ‘What am I doing here? I don’t know what to do here.’ I never wanted to do the club scene. I did that when I was 20.”

When saxophonist Paul Contos was promoted to education director of the Monterey Jazz Festival, he needed someone to fill his role in the traveling clinicians. Meek took the job.

“From that I met all the local school teachers, met a lot of students,” Meek said. “Dennis Murphy School of Music opened maybe 13 years ago and that was a godsend for me. … When Dennis opened his school, I had 12 students within two weeks.”

Some of the names he mentioned may be familiar if you’re a fan of jazz fusion music. Meek’s upbringing provided for his pursuit of music from a very young age. Piano lessons before he was 5 and later he found reed instruments. He was clearly motivated to excel on piano, clarinet and saxophones as he went forward. In the early 1980s he played woodwinds in the big bands of the Los Angeles Jazz Workshop and local club dates. In the mid-1980s he toured with Dionne Warwick playing keyboards. Later he worked his way into becoming a session musician. His passion was to just play, to be a part of a band where he could stretch out and improvise and give it all he had, in contrast to playing parts he was assigned.

“I’ve played on over 200 records, but I’m not a studio musician per se. I never broke into that,” he said. “I met Airto (Moreira) and Flora (Purim), around 1987, I think. (Brazilian musicians who were members of the first Chick Corea: Return To Forever band, formed in 1972). I worked with them for over 20 years, off and on (and the three of them with Jose Neto, formed the band Fourth World in 1990 and toured the U.S., Europe, Asia, South Africa and Eastern Europe for five years). I produced two of Flora’s records. They’re like parents to me. They’re retired in Rio now. Flora is still working. Airto’s health has declined so he’s not active.”

In the years that followed, Meek joined Herb Alpert’s world tour in support of the “Second Wind” album, and he toured with Al Jarreau in the U.S. and Europe playing saxes, flute and keyboards. In a detour from his jazz work he recorded with American pop punk band Green Day on their sixth studio album Warning in 2000. It reached No. 4 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and was certified gold by the RIAA. In 2003, Meek played woodwinds for the album Playful Heart by guitarist and bossa nova pioneer Oscar Castro-Neves. The release, named one of that year’s best albums by Downbeat magazine, included an arrangement of “Four Brothers” that Castro-Neves wrote to feature Meek on all the woodwind parts. Meek was later featured on Castro-Neves’ 2006 album, All One.

All the while Meek continued to develop his own music, releasing his first album as a leader and saxophonist in 1991, an 11-song all original self-titled record, and followed up with four more solo projects. Many of the aforementioned artists he’s worked have also contributed to his recordings, including the 2017 release Originals that featured drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, bassist Brain Bromberg, pianist Mitchel Forman, trumpet/flugelhorn player Randy Brecker, and guitarist Bruce Forman. A song he wrote for his wife, “Suite for Maureen,” featured Airto on percussion and local guitarist who currently tours with Barry Manilow, Mike Lent.

No wonder he didn’t know what to do with his work options when he got to Monterey. Not that he didn’t eventually meet and work with some of the best jazz musicians on the Central Coast. The project he’s currently most involved in, the Gary Meek Band, is making waves wherever they play, which includes Herb Alpert’s club Vibrato in Los Angeles and Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz.

It’s this Friday’s concert event that brought us together to talk. Alas, the show has already sold-out, the tickets still available at our sit down conversation last week got snatched up before the column’s publication. But it was way over due to have this talk. The Wendi Kirby Music Studio where the concert will be is in Monterey and is quite small, only seating about 60 or so people. There will be more shows to come, the next one locally in February at Wave Street Studios. Stay tuned for that future announcement. And on Nov. 24 the band will be at Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society in Half Moon Bay.

The Gary Meek Band plays music written by Meek, except for a song by Evan Lin and the George Harrison-written “Here Comes The Sun.” His last band was the Originals album grouping in 2017, but that was more of a one-off recording with an all-star band. This Central Coast grouping of players is the real deal, an eight-member ensemble who have now committed to be “in the band” and are making exquisite music that has been worked on and rehearsed with more than a few live dates to solidify its sound. The band is Meek on keyboards and just a little saxophone; Marina Panzetta, alto sax; Adam Astrup, guitar; John Nava, percussion; Dan Robbins, bass; Skylar Campbell, drums; Janice Perl and Miranda Perl, vocals.

“I just love these people, I really do,” Meek said. “I’m so lucky to have Skylar. He can do everything I need a drummer to do. He’s super soulful, super sensitive. Willing to take direction, totally willing to work hard and rehearse to get things down. That’s hard to find. That’s why I bring them all to L.A. with me. I could get a bunch of my famous L.A. friends to play with me, and a lot of people would show up, but it wouldn’t sound as good. Marina Panzetta, the saxophonist, was my student since she was 12 years old. She’s now 26. and a graduate of UCLA. She’s not a professional musician, per se. I pay her, so that makes her a pro, and she does some salsa gigs around L.A. But she’s a really good saxophone player.”

We didn’t get to all the musicians as our conversation often would veer into a connecting story that then went off into another direction. Meek is a great storyteller and he’s got a lot of them. He did tell me to check out the band’s music on YouTube, where you can hear a really great recording of the recent Kuumbwa Jazz Center gig. The band is smoking hot, tight as a drum, gorgeous beyond words.

Being a fan of fusion jazz, I could hear the quality of music that would come from The Yellowjackets, or Tom Scott and L.A. Express when Robben Ford was in the band. And that brings us to Astrup on guitar, a 26-year-old who came to town when he and his now fiancé Miranda Perl, a member of the Marotta family by way of her mother Janice, returned to the Peninsula from Colorado where they met while attending college. He developed his fusion chops by copying Mike Lent’s guitar parts on a recording that he and Meek worked on during the COVID downtime, which was the early formation of what this current band has become.
“He got the sound, and he bought the gear, and he really stepped up. He’s a great soloist,” Meek said.

You’re going to have to stay tuned for another episode of Gary Meek’s big adventure on the Monterey Peninsula when there’s another gig to highlight. But for now, I’ll need to give you a quick hit section for other great shows this week.

The Sunset Center has its opening night concert for its Sunset Presents 2024-25 season Friday, 7:30 p.m. with jazz singer Michael Feinstein’s Tribute to Tony Bennett featuring the Carnegie Hall Big Band titled “Because of You.” Visit www.sunsetcenter.org for details and to grab a ticket if you can before it sells out.

The Golden State Theatre has two really good shows this weekend, the first Friday, 8 p.m. with Oteil & Friends featuring Dead & Co. bassist Oteil Burbridge, Melvin Seals, Steve Kimock, Jason Crosby, Johnny Kimock, Tom Guarna and Lamar Williams, Jr. The music will lift your soul, with a driving groove and jams that showcase top talents in the jamband scene. Tickets range $59.65 – $123.51. And Saturday, 8 p.m., its celebrated singer/songwriter Ben Folds on his Paper Airplane Request Tour. Lindsey Kraft opens the show, tickets range $61.71 – $127.11. Visit www.goldenstatetheatre.com to purchase advance tickets.