Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 369

Harris to propose tenfold startup tax incentive increase she says will spur small business creation

By WILL WEISSERT, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris plans to propose on Wednesday a tenfold increase in federal tax incentives for small business startup expenses, from $5,000 to $50,000, hoping to help spur a record 25 million new small business applications over her four-year term should she win the presidency in November.

She’s set to unveil the plan during a campaign stop in the Portsmouth area of New Hampshire — marking a rare deviation from the Midwestern and Sunbelt battlegrounds the Democrat has focused on in her race against former Republican President Donald Trump.

A Harris campaign official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a policy plan that hadn’t been released publicly, said Tuesday the change would cover the $40,000 it costs on average to start a business. The proposal would let new businesses wait to claim that deduction until they first turn a profit, to better maximize its impact lowering their taxes.

Such changes would likely require congressional approval. But a series of tax cuts approved during the Trump administration are set to expire at the end of next year, setting up a scenario where lawmakers may be ready to consider new tax policies. The proposal can help Harris show her support for entrepreneurs even as she’s called for higher corporate tax rates.

Since President Joe Biden dropped his reelection bid and endorsed Harris in July, the vice president has focused on campaigning in the “ blue wall ” states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania that have been the centerpiece of Democratic campaigns that have won the White House in recent decades.

She’s also frequently visited Arizona, Nevada and Georgia, all of which Biden narrowly won in 2020, and North Carolina, which last voted Democratic in a presidential race in 2008 but which she’s still hoping to flip from Trump. Biden won New Hampshire by 7 percentage points in 2020, though Trump came far closer to winning it against Hillary Clinton in 2016.

“The cost of living in New Hampshire is through the roof, their energy bills are some of highest in the country, and their housing market is the most unaffordable in history,” Trump posted last week on his social media platform.

Harris’ team says securing 25 million new business applications in four years if she wins the White House would exceed the roughly 19 million such applications filed since Biden took office. And those were millions more than the previous four years under Trump. The vice president’s goal would be a record for new small business applications — but records only go back about 20 years.

Applications to start a business don’t always translate to small businesses actually being formed. Still, Harris’ plan could keep new small businesses that do come to fruition from otherwise incurring more debt which, at a time of high interest rates, might help them better succeed.

In the weeks since Harris took over the top of the Democratic ticket, she has offered relatively few major policy proposals — attempting to strike a political balance between injecting new energy into the race and continuing to support many of the Biden administration proposals she helped champion as vice president.

Harris’ small business plan follows her announcing last month proposed steps to fight inflation by working to lower grocery prices, and to use tax cuts and other incentives to encourage homeownership. The vice president has also proposed ending federal taxes on tips to service industry workers, an idea Trump proposed first.

The plan she’s introducing Wednesday further calls for developing a standard deduction for small businesses meant to save their owners time when doing their taxes, and making it easier to get occupational licenses — letting people work across state lines and businesses expand into new states. Harris also wants to offer federal incentives so state and local government will ease their regulations.

In an effort to spur business investment outside urban and suburban hubs, Harris is pledging to launch a small business expansion fund to enable community banks and federal entities to cover interest costs while small businesses are expanding or otherwise creating jobs. Her team says those efforts will focus especially on areas that traditionally receive less investment.

49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk ‘ready to go’ for Week 1, admits he made extension talks ‘a little bit more difficult’

SANTA CLARA — Brandon Aiyuk, the proud owner of a lucrative contract extension worth a maximum of $120 million, expects to be in the lineup and without limitations when the 49ers open the 2024 season against the New York Jets on Monday Night Football.

“Ready to go,” Aiyuk said Tuesday in his first meeting with the press since ending a prolonged “hold-in” over a contract extension.

Aiyuk was on the field and practicing with his teammates during a brief “bonus” practice. The 49ers will take Wednesday off, then begin preparations in earnest to face the Jets before a national television audience at Levi’s Stadium.

The negotiations included a trade request and potential deals with Cleveland, New England, and Pittsburgh, which were rejected by either Aiyuk or the 49ers.

But like Deebo Samuel before him two years ago, the trade request was more of a negotiating ploy than a reality.

“Ultimately, yeah, I wanted to be in this position I’m in right now, standing here, talking to y’all,” Aiyuk said. “Every day was different. It’s negotiation. Just following my heart, myself each day, that led to here today.”

While teammate Trent Williams was silent during his holdout, which concluded Tuesday, Aiyuk was at times silent and other times posting messages of discontent on social media. He described it as “a squeaky wheel that has to be silent sometimes, know when to squeak, just that whole balance.”

While the fan base and the 49ers were frustrated, Aiyuk conceded, “I’m not going to lie. I made it a little bit more difficult than I needed to at the end.”

Coach Kyle Shanahan wasn’t available to discuss Aiyuk’s contract, and general manager John Lynch confined his remarks to the team response to the shooting of rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall.

Unlike Williams, Aiyuk chose to “hold in” and participate in meetings while not practicing with the team.

“That was probably the hardest part about the whole thing,” Aiyuk said. “They’re suiting up, getting ready to go out and practice, and I’m not. At the same time, I was able to be in meetings, go through the stuff they got to go through and kind of still be involved. It was a little awkward, but it worked out how it needed to.”

Having been engaged in the offseason and with a new contract in hand, Aiyuk hopes to build on a season in which he caught 79 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 17.9 yards per reception.

“I feel light. I feel more ready than if it didn’t go this way,” Aiyuk said. “I’m super excited. Feeling refreshed, feeling renewed, coming with new energy. So excited to play football again.”

Aiyuk said he leaned on teammates who have been through contract issues of their own.

“I talked to George (Kittle). I talked to Bosa a lot, I talked to Deebo a lot, trying to figure out certain things, get their feel for certain things,” Aiyuk said. “Just being able to talk with them through the process was huge, but also just being able to see them, be around them every single day.”

Aiyuk welcomes the increased pressure that comes with a big contract.

“That was the reason why I wanted to get paid in such a manner, because that’s the type of player I believe I am, and that’s the player I want to continue to be,” Aiyuk said. “That’s the player I strive to be. So I think it’s more so putting that pressure on myself and (moving) forward pockets full.”

Lenoir eager to face Jets

Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir brushed aside the contract issues of his teammates in favor of a one-day-at-a-time approach and felt the return of Aiyuk and Williams was inevitable.

Related ArticlesSan Francisco 49ers | 49ers thankful for Ricky Pearsall’s ‘miraculous’ recovery after shooting San Francisco 49ers | 49ers’ Week 1 practice: Status reports on Aiyuk, McCaffrey, Williams San Francisco 49ers | Holdouts are over. Stars are signed. Now it's time for the 49ers to handle the real business of football San Francisco 49ers | 49ers, star tackle Trent Williams agree to $82.7 million ‘peace treaty’ San Francisco 49ers | 49ers place Ricky Pearsall on non-football injury list after shooting

“Week 1 has always been the focus,” Lenoir said. “There’s been a lot of stuff going on that we haven’t paid attention to. We’ve always been ready to work, coming in, getting better every day.”

As for the opener, Lenoir said, “I feel I’ve been waiting for this since the Super Bowl.”

NOTABLE

— Reporters were limited to a five-minute window before practice during which the 49ers were warming up.

Among the players who were on the field with their teammates after missing time with injuries were running back Christian McCaffrey (calf), guard Aaron Banks (finger), wide receiver Jauan Jennings (oblique) and linebacker Tatum Bethune (unavailable).

49ers thankful for Ricky Pearsall’s ‘miraculous’ recovery after shooting

SANTA CLARA — The 49ers will soon get down to the business of preparing for their opener against the New York Jets but for the time being, they were feeling fortunate that teammate Ricky Pearsall Jr. survived a gunshot wound through his chest and lived to tell about it.

“By the grace of God, Ricky Pearsall is here with the team and doing really well,” general manager John Lynch said Tuesday. “We just all feel incredibly blessed. I was able to be at the hospital, and if I heard from one person, I heard it from many; it was nothing short of miraculous that he came out of this as good as he did.”

Pearsall, 23, was shot in a robbery attempt Saturday in San Francisco’s Union Square, where he was purchasing luggage after signing at a card show. The alleged assailant, a 17-year-old teen who targeted Pearsall because of his Rolex watch, was also shot in the struggle. Both are expected to recover.

By Saturday night, Pearsall was addressing teammates via FaceTime at a team party. On Monday, he was at the team facility, as he was again on Tuesday, talking with coach Kyle Shanahan before practice.

“When I got to the hospital to visit with Ricky, one of the first things he said was, ‘Mr. Lynch, I’d really like everyone to go to that party, and I’d like to talk to some of my teammates,’ ” Lynch said. “It was kind of a cool moment we were able to pipe Ricky into the party and that show of love and respect was a real special moment for our team.”

San Francisco 49ers General Manager John Lynch speaks during a press conference on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, in Santa Clara, Calif. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)

Lynch said no organs or bones were struck and he expects Pearsall to play this season. Pearsall will miss a minimum of four games for recovery on the non-football injury list.

“He’s doing remarkably well,” Lynch said. “It’s kind of uncharted territory.”

Lynch, on behalf of Pearsall, his family and the 49ers, wanted to thank the San Francisco Police Department for their quick response as well as the staff at San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center.

Teammates were still processing the news of a teammate being shot, and they were thankful Pearsall will recover fully.

Guard Aaron Banks said he was looking forward to the team party when he heard the news.

“It was really heartbreaking,” Banks said. “I didn’t know what type of condition he was in. I just saw he was hit in the chest. I was concerned for his life . . . he ended up talking to us, got on FaceTime, and it was really nice to hear his voice and see he was in good spirits.”

Center Jake Brendel decried the frequency of crime and gun violence in general.

“I think a lot of people think it’s rare, but it’s not rare,” Brendel said. “It needs to be addressed by somebody . . . It’s just sad to see something like that happen to anyone you know, anyone in your community. Luckily, he’s alive. That’s something you don’t see every day, someone surviving an attack like that.”

Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir said within 20 minutes of hearing the news, he learned on a group chat with fellow defensive backs that Pearsall would be OK. He expects the first-round draft pick out of Florida to be a factor in the 49ers’ 2024 season.

San Francisco 49ers guard Aaron Banks speaks in the locker room on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, in Santa Clara, Calif. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir speaks in the locker room on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, in Santa Clara, Calif. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco 49ers center Jake Brendel speaks in the locker room on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, in Santa Clara, Calif. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco 49ers guard Spencer Burford speaks in the locker room on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, in Santa Clara, Calif. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)

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San Francisco 49ers guard Aaron Banks speaks in the locker room on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, in Santa Clara, Calif. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)

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“He is a big addition to the team,” Lenoir said. “I feel when he gets back he’s going to be a big contributor to the offense.”

Guard Spencer Buford said the shooting was a reminder “you’ve got to be cautious about wherever you go. Watch your surroundings and be aware.”

Left tackle Trent Williams, who reported Tuesday after a contract holdout, was eager to get back in the building after hearing the news. Williams said Pearsall introduced himself at an offseason practice and made a positive impression.

“I just instantly felt his vibe and could feel he’s such a genuine person,” Williams said. “As soon as I saw what happened I just wanted to be a voice in his ear, letting him know everything will be all right.”

San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams speaks during a press conference on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, in Santa Clara, Calif. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)

Williams said he’ll also counsel younger teammates.

“A lot of people are probably hurt and confused, ‘Am I going to be next?’” Williams said. “I wanted to be around for that. My message is to just realize you’re a target, and this world is a hard place. A very, very hard place. And I think sometimes we are shielded from reality.

“Just realize staying in the moment and realizing your life is more important than what you can wake up and put on. There’s people out there that really don’t value human life. Just got to be aware of that.”

Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk was a former teammate of Pearsall’s at Arizona State before he transferred to Florida and went from the relief and satisfaction of signing a four-year contract extension worth $30 million per year to the shocking news of the incident in San Francisco.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk speaks during a press conference on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, in Santa Clara, Calif. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)

“That was a very traumatic experience for all involved,” Aiyuk said. “Just super happy that he’s alive and we’re able to see him and talk to him. Definitely not the news I was looking forward to on that day. But by the grace of God, he’s still here with us and we wish him a speedy recovery.”

Related ArticlesSan Francisco 49ers | 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk ‘ready to go’ for Week 1, admits he made extension talks ‘a little bit more difficult’ San Francisco 49ers | 49ers’ Week 1 practice: Status reports on Aiyuk, McCaffrey, Williams San Francisco 49ers | Holdouts are over. Stars are signed. Now it's time for the 49ers to handle the real business of football San Francisco 49ers | 49ers, star tackle Trent Williams agree to $82.7 million ‘peace treaty’ San Francisco 49ers | 49ers place Ricky Pearsall on non-football injury list after shooting

Tim Ryan, the 49ers radio analyst, said Tuesday on KNBR 680-AM that he had spoken to Pearsall in the weight room at the team facility.

“I already know this: His street cred has gone up tremendously around here,” Ryan said.

The 49ers open their regular season Monday night hosting the New York Jets at Levi’s Stadium. Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel figure to start at wide receiver, while Jauan Jennings, Chris Conley, Ronnie Bell, and Jacob Cowing are options on the 53-man roster while Pearsall awaits activation from the non-football injury list.

Staff writer Cam Inman contributed to this report.

Heat advisory for much of Monterey County, save for Peninsula

The Labor Day heat waves have passed, but there’s still going to be some warmer weather for the next week at least.

The National Weather Service has a heat advisory in place for most of the inland Central Coast, including parts of southern Monterey County and Big Sur. Temperatures are forecast to range from the mid-90s to 107 degrees starting 11 a.m. Wednesday and all throughout Thursday into the evening.

The National Weather Service reminded the public to check for people and pets in the vehicle, limit outdoor activity to the afternoon and evening, and stay hydrated.

On the Monterey Peninsula, the next week is forecast to be several days of mostly sunny weather, with mostly cloudy days sprinkled in.  There is not too much change in temperatures either, with highs in the low-70s and lows ranging from mid-50s to high-60s.

Pacific Grove council discussing sidewalk expansion, reducing council numbers in next meeting

The Pacific Grove City Council will bring back the discussion of outdoor dining and the sidewalk expansion project on Lighthouse Avenue during the next meeting on Wednesday.

City staff will share three bids received from construction firms including Silcon Constructors at $242,360.53, Monterey Peninsula Engineering at $419,075 and Vanguard Construction at $442,107.

The staff’s recommendation is prepare a budget amendment for $339,304.66, which would include the base bid for Silcon Constructors, a 25% construction contingency and 15% for engineers over site.

Funding for this project has yet to be allocated for fiscal year 2024-2025. Originally, the plan was to award the bid in mid-September, but city staff say if the funding is approved the council will likely have to approve a budget amendment too. Council can then approve the amendment during the next meeting Sept. 18 or Oct. 2.

The council will also continue to discuss the city’s issues with the California Voting Rights Act and the proposal to create a ballot measure reducing the number of council members from six to four. Though the council has been going over this topic for months, this will likely be one of the first fully comprehensive discussions with the new city manager Matthew Mogensen. Previously, Robert Perault was handling the city’s affairs with moving the proposal forward.

Wednesday’s agenda includes a comprehensive history on how the city came to the ballot measure proposal. The agenda also details the millions of dollars other cities have paid out in attorneys’ fees after losing a case involving the California Voting Rights Act.

The council will give direction to the city manager on how to move forward. If they decide to go ahead with a Resolution of Intent to transition to at-large elections, the council will have to approve costs for a demographer to assist with the transition and draw district maps in addition to potential costs the city will have to pay to the League of United Latin American Citizens not to exceed $37,500.

Food, fun and tradition: Festa Italia returns for its 91st year

MONTEREY – The 91st Festa Italia Santa Rosalia Fishermen’s Festival is coming back to the Monterey Peninsula this weekend, celebrating the city’s Italian roots and present-day contributions to keeping the culture alive on the Central Coast.

Taking place Sept. 6-8, this year’s festival will feature seven performers throughout the weekend, a Bocce Tournament, a special Mass, and of course, an array of authentic Italian cuisine. The free festival will be located at the Custom House Plaza in downtown Monterey. The first Festa occurred in 1933, when four women came together to bless the Monterey Fishing Fleet and share traditional Sicilian dishes.

“The Festa Italia Mission continues to honor those men and women who left their homes in Sicily and established new lives in America,” said Joe Cardinalli, president of the Festa Italia Foundation in a letter included in this year’s festival program. “Their culture, heritage, and cuisine contributed to the growth of the City of Monterey and the establishment of Monterey as the ‘Sardine Capital of the World’ during World War II.”

The festival honors the city’s Sicilian roots, which run deep. Italian immigrants began settling in Monterey as early as the 1890s and many quickly joined the local fishing industry. In 1933, a statue of Santa Rosalia, the patron saint of Sicilian fishermen was donated to the San Carlos Cathedral. It was then Francesca (Ferranti) Giamona, Giovanna Balbo, Rosa Ferrante and Domenica Enea who brought the community together and held the first Festa Italia.

Friday’s events will be from 3-9 p.m. and have a variety of vendors, food, wine and beer to choose from. Starting at 6 p.m., 831 All Star Band will perform and host “Dancing under the Stars.”

Saturday will feature day-long festivities, starting with the opening ceremonies and procession at 11:30 a.m. to Old Fisherman’s Wharf for the Blessing of the Fishing Fleet, a traditional practice where clergy used to watch ships parade through a dock and pray for safe passage and a bountiful fishing season. Live entertainment will follow, including the Bocce Tournament.

Traditional Tarantella dancers performing at the Annual Festa Italia Santa Rosalia Fisherman’s Festival. (Courtesy of Brickman Marketing)

Anthony (Tony) Davi will be honored as this year’s Grand Marshall. Davi was born in Isola Delle Femmine, Sicily in July 1944. When he was 13, Davi and his brother Peter made the journey to Monterey to live with relatives and Davi has stayed in Monterey since.

The Davi family has had roots in the Festa Italia for generations. Davi’s granddaughters Daniella and Alley were crowned Festa Italia Queens in 2013 and 2015. His children, nieces and nephews have also been involved with Tarantella, a traditional Italian folk dance.

The yearly festival is run by the Festa Italia Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting Italian heritage, tradition and culture on the Peninsula. The foundation also fundraises for other local organizations and awards over $5,000 in scholarships to local students every year.

Prior to Saturday’s opening ceremonies, a special Mass will be held at 10 a.m. at the San Carlos Cathedral, located at 500 Church Street in Monterey. Also on Saturday, various entertainers including Mike Marotta & Friends, Anthony Lane Band, Tarantella Dancers, Pasquale Esposito and The Money Band will be performing.

At 1 p.m., there will be a Fisherman’s Wharf Calamari cooking demonstration by award-winning Chef Tene Shake. The annual Bocce Tournament will take place Saturday and Sunday at the bocce courts at Custom House Plaza.

From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday will cap off the three-day long Festa, with even more food and wine for purchase as well as another music-filled afternoon. Shake, of Grotto Fish Market/Kokomo’s, will give another demonstration at 11:30 a.m. with complimentary copies of the calamari recipe available.

“Much of the rich history that contributes to the Monterey Peninsula experience comes from the Sicilian fishermen and their families who immigrated here decades ago to build a life on the west coast of California,” said Monterey Mayor Tyller Williamson in a letter included in the program. “Festa Italia celebrates keeping the stories and cultural heritage alive for future generations.”

FACT FOCUS: Posts falsely claim video shows Harris promising to censor X and owner Elon Musk

BY MELISSA GOLDIN, Associated Press

After a nationwide suspension of billionaire Elon Musk’s X platform in Brazil, social media users — including former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — are misrepresenting a years-old video of Vice President Kamala Harris to falsely claim that the Democratic presidential nominee has threatened to censor both X and Musk.

Here’s a closer look at the facts.

CLAIM: A video clip portrays Harris as saying that she will shut down X if she wins the 2024 presidential election and that Musk has “lost his privileges.”

THE FACTS: That’s false. Harris was referring to Trump long before Musk bought Twitter and rebranded it as X.

The clip is from 2019 and shows Harris speaking with CNN host Jake Tapper after a Democratic primary debate, discussing whether then-President Donald Trump’s profile should be removed from the platform, called Twitter at the time, and how there needs to be increased accountability for social media companies.

Kennedy, who on Aug. 23 suspended his presidential bid and endorsed Trump, used the clip in an X post as alleged proof that Harris was talking about Musk, stating: “Can someone please explain to her that freedom of speech is a RIGHT, not a ‘privilege’?” He also provided his own interpretation of Harris’ comments on social media sites in general as follows: “If they don’t police content to conform to government-approved narratives, they will be shut down.”

The post had been liked and shared approximately 200,300 times as of Tuesday.

Another popular X post that shared the video simply reads: “Kamala will shut down X if she wins.” It has been liked and shared approximately 105,000 times. Other social media users claimed that Harris was speaking in support of a Brazilian Supreme Court justice who made the decision last week to block X.

In extended footage of the interview, part of CNN’s post-debate analysis on Oct. 15, 2019, Tapper asked Harris: “So, one of the topics that you chose to talk a lot about, especially confronting Sen. Warren on, was your push, your call, for Twitter to suspend the account of President Trump. Why was that important?”

Tapper was referring to the moment in the debate when Harris criticized then-fellow Democratic candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren for not urging such a suspension. Twitter did eventually ban Trump’s account in January 2021, citing “the risk of further incitement of violence” after the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, with multiple other social media platforms kicking him off around the same time. Musk restored Trump’s account in November 2022 after he bought the platform.

Harris responded during the interview that Trump had “proven himself to be willing to obstruct justice” and that what he says on Twitter “impacts people’s perceptions about what they should and should not do.”

She continued: “And as far as I’m concerned, and I think most people would say, including members of Congress who he has threatened, that he has lost his privileges and it should be taken down.”

Harris did not call for the platform as a whole to be shut down. Rather, she advocated for increased accountability.

“The bottom line is that you can’t say that you have one rule for Facebook and you have a different rule for Twitter,” she stated. “The same rule has to apply, which is that there has to be a responsibility that is placed on these social media sites to understand their power. They are directly speaking to millions and millions of people without any level of oversight or regulation, and that has to stop.”

The exchange is reflected in CNN’s transcript of the coverage.

The Harris campaign directed an Associated Press inquiry about the false claims to a Democratic National Committee spokesperson, who declined to comment. Representatives for Trump and Kennedy did not respond to a request for comment.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered X blocked last Friday for refusing to name a local legal representative, as required by law. His decision was unanimously upheld by a court panel on Monday. X had removed its legal representative from Brazil on the grounds that de Moraes had threatened her with arrest. The platform will stay suspended until it complies with de Moraes’ order and pays outstanding fines.

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Find AP Fact Checks here: https://apnews.com/APFactCheck.

Horoscopes Sept. 3, 2024: Garrett Hedlund, make this the year of transformation

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Rita Volk, 34; Shaun White, 38; Omi, 38; Garrett Hedlund, 40.

Happy Birthday: Don’t take anything for granted. Do your homework, and set and stay within boundaries. Talk is cheap, so follow through and complete your plans to avoid being misunderstood or ignored. Make this the year of transformation, not innuendos. Step out of your comfort zone and commit to doing what you say. Revise your calendar to project the outcome you want to achieve. Your numbers are 8, 11, 15, 23, 31, 36, 44.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Look closer at a situation before you act. It’s important to know what and who you are up against and to direct your energy appropriately. A misconception will give you a false sense of what’s possible. Consider how time-consuming it is, along with the emotional and financial costs. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Adjust to the changes around you. The less fuss, the easier it will become to satisfy your soul and to put your heart into something that matters to you. It’s how you perceive and respond to situations that make the difference. Actions are proof that you follow through. 5 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Distance yourself from what you cannot change and focus on improving your life. Adjusting your skills and attributes to blend in flawlessly with new trends will open doors. Make sure everything you promise is doable to avoid criticism. Sign up to learn something new or to expand your qualifications. 2 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Establish what you enjoy doing most and find a way to turn it into additional income. Get your house in order, and you’ll feel at peace. Put money matters to rest by selling items you no longer use. You have more resources than you realize. 4 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Take the uncertainty out of any situation by asking direct questions and giving straight answers. Facts are your route to reforming, replacing and revitalizing your path forward with honesty and a chance to make a positive difference. Personal growth will help transform your life. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Monitor what others do and say. A problem at work or in your community that influences your position or reputation is best averted quickly. Control your emotions and speak the truth; you’ll overrule anyone trying to make you look bad. Don’t let uncertainty interfere with authenticity. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): An open mind and compassionate heart will get you through anything you encounter. Use common sense and bounce your ideas off people you trust to give you an honest opinion. Stop worrying about your approval ratings and start trying to please yourself. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): As long as you keep changing your mind, it is best not to make a move. Focus on getting things done before you venture down a new path. Check out an activity or event that captures your attention. What and who you encounter will offer valid considerations. 4 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Rethink your plans and eliminate any action fueled by someone else’s wants. It’s you who must be happy with your path forward. Choose what makes you content with yourself, your lifestyle and the company you keep. Self-improvement is within reach. 2 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Take the train that leads to financial gain, a better lifestyle and a healthier attitude. Don’t abuse yourself to amuse others or to fit in with the wrong crowd. Surround yourself with positivity and a plan that ensures you do and achieve the best outcome possible. 5 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Spend more time sourcing how to look and feel your best. Whether you implement a healthy, active daily routine, give yourself more time to unwind or recover, or concentrate on something that brings you joy, it will encourage greater clarity and a pathway to follow. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): A shift will help you avoid a run-in with someone. Expect matters to get blown out of proportion and no improvements to be made if anger takes over. Use your imagination, be innovative and do your best to get along with others or offer them the freedom you want in return. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are sensitive, helpful and ambitious. You are changeable and timely.

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

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

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Mary Jeanne Vincent, Career Talk: From IRS auditor to business coach

A significant percentage of my clients tell me they want to change careers. This week I will share the change story of another colleague from my professional network.

Denise Kaku business coach, married at 20 and quickly had two children. She spent the next eight years raising her children, working part-time and attending night school at the local community college. Finally, she transferred to Fresno State University where she took a basic accounting class, a decision that changed her life.

During her junior year at Fresno State, she worked for a CPA firm during tax season and learned old school bookkeeping complete with green eye shade. The next year she interned with the IRS where she had the opportunity to work in a variety of departments. There she discovered that men and women earned the same wage, salaries were competitive with private industry, the hours were regular and that she could earn a pension if she stuck with it. When she was offered a fulltime position with the organization, she accepted and became the second female auditor in the Fresno office.  As one of only two women in the office, she encountered plenty of pushback but she wasn’t deterred.

Kaku said that working for the IRS provided lots of opportunity to volunteer for special assignments and out-of-the-ordinary projects. She took full advantage of them to try things out. She participated in speaker panels, delivered tax workshops, taught tax law to CPAs, and volunteered to do tax consulting for the elderly. In the process, she built a professional network and earned a reputation for taking on assignments no one else wanted.

After 14 years of conducting endless audits, she was ready for a change. When she got a chance to spend a year in the HR department as part of the Quality Improvement department she jumped at it. In the meantime, she took out a second mortgage and went to night school to earn a master’s degree in organizational development.

Twelve months later the agency created a new, first of its kind position for Kaku. She headed up the organizational development unit and built it to 65 internal consultants and the IRS paid for her coaching certification through an accredited coaching program. Kaku then mortgaged her home for a second time to help her afford to earn an additional coaching certification through the acclaimed Strozzi Institute. She went on to coach managers throughout the organization until the agency downsized the program and she was offered a buy-out package.

At 57 she took a year off to rest, renew and reset. She took a hard look at what brought her satisfaction and fulfillment. She decided that helping new businesses launch by providing business and financial coaching was a great fit for her skills and personality. But first, she had to learn how to market herself, find clients and build an online presence!  Today, Kaku Consulting is a success.

Here are some common strategies that Kaku, Gillette and Amsler used to make a successful change.

*They realized it was time for a change.
*They stepped out of their comfort zone and tried something new.
*They built a professional network that led to potential opportunities.
*They trusted their instincts to make decisions about what was right for them.
*Finally, they invested in their future.

Take heart, a new career is just around the corner for you, too!

Mary Jeanne Vincent, career expert and strategist, has a coaching practice in Monterey. She may be reached at (831) 657-9151, mjv@careercoachmjv.com, or www.careercoachmonterey.com

49ers place Ricky Pearsall on non-football injury list after shooting

The 49ers placed Ricky Pearsall on the reserve/non-football injury list Monday as he recovers from being shot during an attempted robbery over the weekend, ruling him out for at least the first four games of their season.

Pearsall, 23, will be eligible to come off the list for their Oct. 6 game against the Arizona Cardinals, though the team has given no indication whether he is expected to be ready to play by then.

The 49ers signed offensive tackle Brandon Parker to a one-year deal to take Pearsall’s spot on the 53-man roster.

Pearsall, the 49ers’ first-round pick in this spring’s NFL draft, was shot Saturday in San Francisco’s Union Square, police said. He was shot in the chest and the bullet exited his back, according to a Facebook post by his mother, who also said he was “extremely lucky” that his vital organs were not hit. Video from the scene showed Pearsall holding a bandage over an apparent wound on the upper right part of his chest.

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The rookie wide receiver was released from San Francisco General Hospital on Sunday. The attempted robber, a 17-year-old male from Tracy, was also admitted to the same hospital with a gunshot wound after a struggle with Pearsall. Police officers took him into custody at the scene, and his condition is unknown.

The 49ers’ wide receiver corps without Pearsall will include the recently extended Brandon Aiyuk as well as Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings, Chris Conley, Ronnie Bell and rookie Jacob Cowing.

San Francisco also signed defensive lineman Sam Okuayinonu to its practice squad and released offensive lineman Sebastian Gutierrez from the squad.