Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 378

The nation’s top 10 aquariums include this Monterey gem (of course!)

Travel+Leisure’s recent tally of the nation’s top places to see sea life and learn about everything from sharks to jellies was topped by a familiar California name, the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Are we surprised? Nope — just gratified. Since the day this gorgeous marine life center opened in 1984, its exhibits and conservation efforts have wowed crowds of kids and grown-ups alike, who flock to gawk at the 28-foot tall Kelp Forest, the adorable otters and mesmerizing jellies.

A sea otter at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, Calif., on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. The aquarium’s otter program is responsible for reestablishing much of Northern California’s critically endangered Southern Sea Otter population. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)

It’s one of three West Coast aquariums to get a nod. The Seattle Aquarium on Elliott Bay, where a new Ocean Pavilion will make its debut on Aug. 29, took the No. 6 spot. That Pavilion, by the way, showcases a reef ecosystem in the Indo-Pacific’s Coral Triangle that’s home to so many different types of sea life, it’s been called the Amazon of the ocean. (That’s a reference to the South American rainforest, not Jeff Bezos. Or so we hope.)

The Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport was named No. 10, thanks to not only its current exhibits, but the Jelly Gallery opening this fall, a new mangrove exhibit and soon, the Sees-Ha Xwee-Nish Marine Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.

Here’s the T+L list. Read more about these aquariums and find more travel inspiration at https://www.travelandleisure.com.

10 Best Aquariums in the U.S.

1 Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey

2 New England Aquarium, Boston, Massachusetts

3  Audubon Aquarium, New Orleans

4 Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, Illinois

5 Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, Georgia

6 Seattle Aquarium, Seattle, Washington

7 New York Aquarium, Brooklyn, New York

8 National Aquarium, Baltimore, Maryland

9 Alaska Sealife Center, Seward, Alaska

10 Oregon Coast Aquarium, Newport, Oregon

For more travel coverage in the Bay Area and beyond, follow us on Flipboard.

Carmel Valley author pairs paintings with the poetry of the landscape

Standing in the front yard of her Carmel Valley home, Beth Jauregui takes a quiet inhale, followed by a softer exhale, and looks at the spectrum of green foliage quivering in the breeze, the riot of color blossoming therein, and the verdant Santa Lucia range in the distance, beneath a summer-blue sky. Grateful for the natural setting in which she lives, and the complement she and her husband, artist and builder David Jauregui, have created in their garden, in this moment, she is busy with being.

An art instructor and educator on the Central Coast for more than 40 years, Jauregui found precious little time to pursue art, apart from what she introduced in the classroom. Yet after retiring from elementary education in 2021, following 30 years at Carmel River School, she picked up a paintbrush.

“Imagine how wonderful it is to wake up to a beautiful morning and come out into the garden to paint, with the sun passing over, shifting shadow and light,” she said, her voice soft, her eyes filled with light. “My painting requires a lot of time, so I could never do it during the school year. Art is always around me, but I couldn’t commune with it.”

She is, now.

A celebration of nature

By the end of 2023, Beth Jauregui had not only been painting; she had published a book. “Paintings from the Edge of the Santa Lucia Mountains: Sharing Environmental Studies Through Art” (Fulton Books) portrays the nature of her daily experiences in Carmel’s river valley, complemented by phrasing that creates a context for each painting.

“Once I retired and started painting in earnest,” she said, “I was amazed by what was coming up for me and all I had to express. Soon I had all these acrylic paintings of the Carmel river valley and wondered what I was going to do with them. Years ago, when I painted, I had connections with art galleries. This time, I decided to put them into a book and started writing. My words form the thread that weaves through the book, creating a storyline among the paintings.”

As her book began to take shape, any time she lacked the imagery to help convey her message, she paused to paint additional pieces to give visual continuity to her words.

Jauregui dedicated her book to all the students she taught over the years, as it was they she thought of while painting.

Author/painter Beth Jauregui. (Courtesy photo)

“In all my years of teaching,” she said, “I had to have a hook to engage my students in what I wanted them to learn. I often found it in a story I would read to them.”

When writing and when painting, Jauregui also looks for a hook, an idea that holds her attention and infuses significance into her work. So, when portraying the sun, she focuses not only on how it lights the garden but also the life force it provides.

“Each landscape study,” she said, “is meant to bring greater understanding of the complex and interrelated parts of how energy from the sun on trees, plants, water, clouds, and air is essential to the health of our living planet.”

Her words, as carefully chosen as her color palette, her brush strokes, her composition, create a poetic rhythm that moves past one painting, carrying her message on to the next.

“Solar energy radiates down through the atmosphere meeting the Pacific Ocean’s coastal landscape along the Monterey Bay. Trees and plants merge into the sunlight, unfolding a spectrum of colors over the landscape in a background of sky …” her text continues. “Together, with the energy of the sun, clouds, water, trees, plants, and air create the healthy development of Earth’s environment needed to sustain life.”

It’s in her nature

Growing up in the High Desert, Beth Jauregui had a special tree in the yard, a Chinese Elm with a swing hanging from a branch, and a sandbox around the base. Kids would come over to climb that tree, swing, and play in the sand. She loves the memory of that tree, which she recalls as she watches the morning light come in through the branches of trees on her Carmel Valley property.

Jauregui studied art among the redwoods in the seaside community of Santa Cruz, graduating from UC Santa Cruz with a degree in two-dimensional art. She began her teaching career in the art department of her alma mater while pursuing her graduate studies, before embarking on a 40-year teaching career on the Central Coast. She always incorporated environmental studies, art, and children’s literature into her curriculum.

Even now, she continues to teach through a book created for children and all the people who will read it to them.

“Readers of all ages,” she said,” are invited to explore the phenomena of sunlight and climate, interacting with the valley’s oak woodlands, native trees, plants, and gardens, through the paintings.”

“Paintings from the Edge of the Santa Lucia Mountains: Sharing Environmental Studies Through Art” is available at River House Books at The Crossroads Carmel and at Pilgrim’s Way Community Bookstore, also in Carmel.

Looking back: Time for some football, 1965

Clipboard: Local brothers hope to make a bigger splash at UC Irvine

Brothers Jasper and Wylie Dale are expected to play significant roles this season for the nationally-ranked UC Irvine men’s water polo team.

The smaller of the two Stevenson graduates at 6-foot-6, Jasper begins his third season for the Anteaters, having scored nine goals, while assisting on eight last year.

Having trimmed down this fall to 250 pounds on a 6-foot-8 frame, Wylie produced 11 goals and assisted on three in 26 matches as a true freshman last fall, while drawing 17 exclusions.

The Anteaters finished No. 6 nationally last year, winning the Big West Conference title, before falling to No. 5 Princeton in the NCAA Tournament.

In two seasons at UC Irvine, Jasper – the Pacific Coast Ahtletic League Gabilan Division Player of the Year in 2021 — has come off the bench to produce 23 goals with 15 assists.

A two-time Gabilan Division Offensive Player of the Year at Stevenson, and the league’s Most Valuable Player in 2022, Wylie was a member of the US Youth National Team in 2019 and 2023.

Martel earns first start at San Jose State

It didn’t take long for Sophia Martel to make an impression at San Jose State, as the county’s all-time leader in goals started in the women’s soccer team’s second match.

A true freshman for the Spartans, the 18-year-old Martel has played in both matches for San Jose State, which is 0-1-1.

Despite playing only part of her freshman and senior seasons, the former Soledad High sniper set a Monterey County record for career goals with 129.

During her sophomore season at Soledad, the forward broke the school record with 51 goals. She led the team to a spot in the Central Section Division IV finals as a junior in 2023.

Distance ace Ochoa to begin her senior season

Former Gonzales High and Hartnell College All-American Ashley Ochoa will look to build off her spring season in track and field this fall in cross country for Fresno State.

A state meet podium finisher and All-American in track at Hartnell in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in 2023, Ochoa competed in five track meets last year for the Bulldogs, clocking 11 minutes, 27.71 seconds in the steeplechase.

Ochoa placed second in the 5,000-meter run at the Fresno State Invitational (18:08.40) and ran a season-best 4:47.47 in the 1,500 and 10:38.88 indoors in the 3,000.

A walk-on recruit in cross-country last fall, Ochoa ran 21:59.00 at the Bronco Invitational, the 23rd fastest time in Fresno State school history.

Ochoa was also an All-American at Hartnell in cross country in 2022, placing 13th at the state finals to help the program to a top five team finish.

Salinas’ Hibino at UC Davis

Having paid her dues last year, former Salinas High hitter Brooke Hibino will look to be a contributor this fall for the UC Davis volleyball team.

The 6-foot-1 outside hitter was inserted into Salinas’ lineup as a freshman in 2019, finishing with over 500 kills in three seasons (lost sophomore season due to the pandemic).

Hibino had 230 kills and 54 blocks during her junior season, earning all-county honors as a junior and senior at Salinas.

A menacing presence at the net for the Cowboys, Hibino finished with 108 bocks in three years, helping the program to three straight Gabilan Division volleyball titles.

Coaches needed

Marina is looking for a varsity boys volleyball coach, and a varsity baseball coach. Go to www.edjoin.org/MPUSD.

Salinas needs a girls lacrosse coach. Go to art.hundorfer@salinasuhsd.org.

Soledad is looking for a boys and girls wrestling coach. Contact Nick Twitchell at aztecathletics@soledad.k.12.ca

Officials needed

Peninsula Sports Incorporate is looking for high school and middle school officials for all sports this season. Varsity officials are paid $100 a game.

There is an immediate need for officials in the fall for football, flag football, volleyball, water polo and field hockey. Training is provided. Call Tom Emery at (831) 241-1101.

NorCal Sports Officials is looking for officials for the 2024 season and beyond. NCSO has been providing officials for youth and adult sports leagues and tournaments since 2014. NCSO currently has 17 youth and adult leagues on the Monterey Peninsula.

Training and some equipment/apparel provided. For more information contact Greg Omoto at: norcalsportsofficials@gmail.com or visit the website: www.norcalsportsofficials.com or call (831) 236-7187.

Seaside’s Finest

Seaside’s Finest is holding fall basketball workouts for boys and girls Mondays and Wednesdays at MPC. The program is designed to prepare athletes for the upcoming basketball season. Also offered will be speed and strength workouts. Contact Jason Hieb at (831) 915-5362 or http://seasidesfinest.leagueapps.com

 

High School softball: Palma’s Cardinale to pitch for Santa Clara University in 2026

SALINAS – If adjusting to a new school for her senior season was not stressful enough, imagine listening to pitches from a handful of college softball coaches.

Yet, one coach in particular left an impression on Sophie Cardinale, so that when the offer was made, there was no brainstorming or hesitation on where the Palma softball pitcher wanted to spend her next four years.

“Walking that campus, I could feel this is where I want to go to school,” Cardinale said. “I told my dad before the visit was over that this is the perfect fit for me.”

A two-time member of The Herald’s all-county softball team at Notre Dame, Cardinale became the first female from Palma to earn a scholarship, committing to Santa Clara University.

“I was getting a little overwhelmed with the recruiting process,” the 17-year-old admitted. “I was worried going into my last year I wouldn’t impress someone. The process is nerve-racking. I was getting anxious about it.”

Sophie Cardinale will sit out the first six weeks of the season after transferring from Notre Dame to Palma this year. (Courtesy photo)

What the right-handed hurler did not realize until this past summer was that Santa Clara coach Gina Carbonatto had her on her radar a year earlier, before reaching out in July.

“She watched me the previous summer,” Cardinale said. “She texted me, reached out and talked to me on the phone last month just to get to know me better. She said she had seen a lot of growth.”

While it wasn’t unusual for college coaches to put a radar gun on Cardinale during the summer, she didn’t know of Santa Clara’s interest until Carbonatto pulled a pocket radar out.

“Usually it’s done with more discretion,” said former Notre Dame coach Tom Cardinale. “She was throwing between 62 and 64 mph. We didn’t know she had been watching Sophie for two years.”

When the younger Cardinale, who transferred from Notre Dame to Palma this year, got off the phone with Carbonatto, she began to feel like this might be the right spot.

“I got to know a little more about the school and her opinions,” Cardinale said. “I got to know about the team dynamics and how she runs a program. It started to feel right.”

Having narrowed her choices to three programs, Cardinale didn’t feel the need to hold off on her decision, even though she can’t officially sign until November.

“I really liked her (Carbonatto) based on what she told me and liked her as a person,” Cardinale said. “I thought it would be a good fit for me.”

Cardinale posted a 1.12 earned run average last year at Notre Dame, striking out 141 hitters in 106 innings, helping the program to its 38th straight postseason appearance.

“Where Sophie’s developed is in her ability to take the harder situations and stay focused,” said Tom Cardinale. “She puts it behind her and gets the job done. This has been her dream since she was 12.”

Sophie Cardinale began to hear from colleges after her sophomore season when she pitched Notre Dame to a Central Coast Section Division I title and Northern California DI finals appearance.

While Palma will be having softball for the first time after adding girls to its campus, it was put into the Gabilan Division, the Pacific Coast Athletic League’s most competitive division, in part because of Cardinale, who will have to sit out the first six weeks for being a transfer.

“I like that we’re going to get to compete at a high-level next spring,” said Cardinale, who will also play basketball in the winter. “Being in the Gabilan Division will only make me better.”

Sophie Cardinale posted a 1.12 earned run average last year at Notre Dame, striking out 141 hitters in 106 innings. (Courtesy photo)

Blessed with an arsenal of pitches, including a riser, Cardinale developed a change-up that freezes hitters, while showcasing the ability to paint the corners.

“She throws hard enough,” said Tom Cardinale, who is also Sophie’s grandfather. “She’ll get the batter to hit her pitch. Her best pitch is coming inside. She’s lived off that. She’ll pick her spots.”

The younger Cardinale has been told that she was recruited to potentially step in right away and be a part of the starting rotation for the Broncos, who were 30-23 last year.

“They’re looking to bring me on to their staff as a starter,” Cardinale said. “Santa Clara doesn’t have a huge pitching staff. I’m going to get a great education and grow as a pitcher.”

One of the catchers at Santa Clara is Salinas High graduate Maria Martorella, who just completed her sophomore season.

The biggest thing for Cardinale is feeling that a weight has been lifted off her shoulders, and that her focus can return to just being a kid and playing a game.

“Now I can play with a little less pressure on me,” Cardinale said. “Obviously I want to continue to improve as a pitcher. I want to focus on us making a little history at Palma in softball.”

High School Football Tour: Breakers looking to build off of last year’s explosive start

EDITOR’S NOTE: Herald sports writer John Devine has spent most of this month visiting Monterey County schools to get a sneak peek of their football teams. This and other previews are available at www.montereyherald.com

PACIFIC GROVE – Six weeks into last fall, Pacific Grove High was just one of the two football teams in the Pacific Coast Athletic League that were still undefeated.

Of course, the six teams the Breakers had beaten weren’t among the area’s elite. Just one of those opponents would go on to post a winning record. Yet, two of the teams the Breakers knocked off were a combined 17-4 the year before. Another victory came against a program that put up 56 points on them in 2022. And yet, another win was against a program that didn’t lose another game until the playoffs.

“I would like to think we’re getting a little better each year,” Pacific Grove coach Jeff Gray said. “Even as our enrollment shrinks, the numbers in the program keep going up a little. Even if it’s two kids, over the course of five years it makes a difference.”

As is often the case with a program that lacks depth, injuries began to creep up on Pacific Grove as it faced the meat of its schedule in the second half of the season. So after starting 6-0, the Breakers went 1-3 the rest of the way.

Pacific Grove quarterback Brody Edmonds gets off a pass during a recent practice. (John Devine — Monterey Herald)

A member of the Cypress Division in 2022, Pacific Grove was moved into the Mission Division South in 2023 where, with just 550 students, they were the smallest school in the division.  The result was a pair of humbling losses to two playoff-bound teams with enrollments over 2,500 kids and a ninth straight loss to long-time rival Carmel.

“I do look back at what went wrong,” tailback Gideon Llantero said. “I’ve watched a lot of film. I want to see how we can improve our play on the field.”

As Pacific Grove’s enrollment continues to dip and football is not a priority for several multi-sport athletes on the roster, depth again is an issue.

However, last year’s start created a buzz on campus, making the sport relevant when often the attention swirls around other sports.

“I think over the course of a season, when you have positive outcomes, it spreads to the school,” Gray said. “The kids that aren’t playing tend to gravitate to wanting to be a part of it.”

That in turn has given Gray a few more athletes to put on the field this fall. Still, he’s dealing with multi-sport athletes who share their summers playing on travel basketball and baseball teams.

The inability to get everyone in the building at the same time over the summer squashes participation in 7-on-7 passing leagues.

“The turnout in the weight room was good,” Gray said. “But it’s tough to put in a package for 7s. With our type of program, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to rush into that.”

Gray has kept to the script that he believes gets his players prepared for the start of league and that’s finding nonleague opponents similar to his squad’s talents.

Adding an “A” league opponent in Alvarez is a sign of the maturation process. Gray believes his schedule provides an outlook, one that he believes builds confidence and momentum.

“We upgraded a little because we believe we can at least compete,” Gray said. “What we want out of the preseason is to be competitive and prepared when league rolls around.”

While juggling quarterbacks last year wasn’t ideal, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Gray will repeat the feat this fall.

Both Nathaniel Wade and Brody Edmonds alternated behind center with success, as they have different styles that can cause defenses headaches.

“Brody has a little more whip in getting the ball to receivers,” Gray said. “Nathaniel is a little more refined in running the offense. Both are just good athletes.”

Wade didn’t throw a pick in 65 attempts last season, finishing with 670 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging nearly 17 yards a completion.

Edmonds can also wing it, throwing for 500 yards and five touchdowns. His versatility, though, makes him a threat to take off and run.

“I hoped one would escape the pack,” Gray said. “It still might turn out that way. It’s possible it might end up being the same scenario.”

As effective as the passing game was with the pair rotating in and out, grinding the ball on the ground has been Gray’s makeup, as it chews up the clock and keeps his defense fresh in the second half.

Execution and discipline are traits that are required in the Breakers’ system. Clearly, it doesn’t hurt having a tailback with a burst in Llantero.

Brought up two years ago as a sophomore, Llantero had a breakout season last fall, rushing for just under 800 yards and 12 touchdowns — 19 total — in eight full games.

“I’ve spent time in the weight room, trying to get stronger to withstand the punishment,” Llantero said. “I ran track in the spring to improve my speed.”

Four times the versatile Llantero rushed for over 100 yards, while becoming a threat out of the backfield as a receiver as well, catching six touchdowns. He also returned a kickoff for six.

“He’s been a team leader over the summer,” Gray said. “Gideon had a great summer. He’s put on some muscle.”

The running back position – arguably the most important at Pacific Grove – is deep with the emergence of Flynn Ryan and Garrett Kuska. Llantero, though, is a game-changer.

“He’s (Llantero) deceptive inside,” Gray said. “He’s not going to bowl you over. But he will put his shoulder down. Just as he’s about to get hit, he knows when to slip away. He knows when to cut on sweeps.”

Stability on the offensive line starts with center Ryton Harrison, who will double as a linebacker on the Breakers’ defense.

“Ryton put on 20 pounds of muscle,” Gray said. “He’ll be a two-way player for us. He’s a really good leader, very dedicated to the program.”

Llantero could also be ticketed as a pass-rushing specialist, as he was unstoppable at a recent practice in getting to the quarterback.

“I’m trying to push others, be a good leader,” Llantero said. “I want to be more vocal. I just want to continue to improve and make an impact.”

Expect to see Ben Garry patrolling the secondary, having knocked down a handful of passes last season, while recovering a fumble.

As dynamic as the Breakers’ defense was in allowing just 92 points in their seven wins, they were torched for 141 points in their three losses – all to playoff-bound programs.

“Sometimes it’s just obvious,” Gray said. “You play teams that are better than you and they’ll have their way with you. The seven wins were games where we did a great job of preparation. We tackled well.”

Earthquakes stun third-place Real Salt Lake in 2-0 road win

SANDY, Utah (AP) — Cristian Espinoza and Amahl Pellegrino scored first-half goals and the last-place San Jose Earthquakes knocked off Real Salt Lake in a surprising 2-0 road victory on Saturday night.

The Earthquakes (5-19-2), who entered play as the worst team in the league with just 14 points through three-quarters of the season, took a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute on Espinoza’s fourth goal of the campaign.

Jackson Yueill notched his second assist on the score by intercepting a Salt Lake pass in the middle of the pitch and passing wide to Espinoza, who blasted a shot off the hands of RSL keeper Zach McMath and in for his 100th MLS goal contribution (32 goals, 68 assists) as an Earthquake.

“It means a lot,” the 29-year-old Argentine said of his milestone goal at a postgame press conference. “Since I came here in 2019, I never expected to achieve all these numbers.”

San Jose grabbed a two-goal lead in the 33rd minute and took it into halftime when Amahl Pellegrino cleaned up a rebound off the post following a free kick into the penalty area by Espinoza. Pellegrino has six goals in his first season in the league, covering 18 starts and 24 appearances.

Daniel De Sousa Britto finished with four saves in goal for San Jose, earning his second clean sheet in his fifth start and ninth appearance this season.

“We won the ball in really good areas, and we have a lot of pace to go forward. I was just happy with the consistent 94-minute performance on the road,” Quakes interim coach Ian Russell told media after the match. “I feel like it was a really complete win. I told the guys the last six or seven games have been really, really good. We haven’t won them all, obviously, but ever since the (July 17) Houston game at home, we started showing a lot of fight.”

RSL’s Cristian Arango limped off the field with a right hamstring injury in the 41st minute after he was fouled by San Jose midfielder Carlos Gruezo with his team already down two goals. He was replaced by Anderson Julio. Arango and D.C. United’s Christian Benteke are tied for the league lead in the race for the Golden Boot with 17 goals this season.

Zac MacMath turned away three shots for Real Salt Lake (12-6-8).

Real Salt Lake, which is third in the Western Conference, and San Jose met for the first time this season.

The Quakes earned just their second win in 13 road games.

The Earthquakes return home to play Minnesota United on Saturday. Real Salt Lake will host the New England Revolution on Saturday.

Horoscopes Aug. 25, 2024: Blake Lively, the right people will support your efforts

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Blake Lively, 37; Billy Ray Cyrus, 63; Tim Burton, 66; Elvis Costello, 70.

Happy Birthday: An inquisitive attitude will go a long way this year. Do your research and make changes that are meaningful to you. Don’t feel it would be best to contort your desires to accommodate someone unwilling to bend for you. It’s your life and destiny; be the one to decide what’s next and best for you. The right people will support your efforts instead of sabotaging your every move. Your numbers are 3, 15, 22, 24, 33, 36, 45.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Collect your thoughts, assess your lifestyle and eliminate unnecessary expenses. Refrain from laboring over how others may react to the changes you make. Do what makes the most sense and will give you peace of mind. Raise your professional profile and market yourself accordingly. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Expect revisions before you agree to a change someone wants you to make. State your case, and don’t make concessions that jeopardize your budget or schedule. Pay attention to how you feel, and adjust your eating habits and lifestyle to improve your well-being. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Live and learn. Observe changes and adjust to entitle yourself to take advantage of what’s available. Trends will prompt the updating of your skills and resourcefulness. Don’t waste time; ignoring the facts will hold you hostage. An astute point of view will help you gain leverage. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Take any precautions necessary to maintain your lifestyle and reputation. Don’t let anyone take advantage or attack your integrity. If you’re honest, your knowledge, experience and vision will offset any personal affront you encounter. Personal growth and self-improvement are favored. 4 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Review your plans and establish what you can handle. Don’t put a strain on your financial well-being or your health. A change that causes additional stress isn’t worthwhile. Focus on fitness, health and living within your means. Be innovative. 2 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Face facts and make plans. Don’t ignore the inevitable, and make the most of each moment. Change what is no longer working for you, raise the bar and set standards that elevate you to a higher level. Focus and detail are your secret weapons. 5 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Stay active, visit places that improve your day or connect with people you love. Make household changes that will improve your life. Expand your interests or participate in an event that challenges you mentally or physically. Live in the moment; say yes to life, love and happiness. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Promise only what’s doable. Stepping outside your comfort zone will force you to make changes that you didn’t anticipate. Attitude is everything and will make a difference in the outcome. Once you commit to something, make a point to embrace challenges. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Choose your battles wisely. Take care of business before taking on something that doesn’t get you any further ahead or may even set you back emotionally, financially or physically. Change begins with you. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Incorporate something new and exciting into your routine. A change will awaken your senses to various people and pastimes that can alter your mindset, direction and lifestyle. Love and romance are on the rise, and prioritizing how to spend your time will encourage personal growth. 5 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Take advantage of every moment and strive to get things done. The stress relief you feel putting your responsibilities behind you will encourage you to free up more time to do the things you enjoy most with those you love. Make a promise to yourself to enjoy life. 2 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You’ll easily slip back and forth between positive and negative. Your sensitivity toward those you spend time with will be important. Distance yourself from drama, temptation and overindulgence. Strive for stability, security and personal growth. 4 stars

Birthday Baby: You are secretive, unpredictable and passionate. You are attentive and astute.

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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Pro Soccer: Union pick up a point in a scoreless draw with El Paso

SEASIDE — That elusive first win for head coach Jordan Stewart remains on hold.

Yet, while a winless streak will extend beyond 50 days by the time Monterey Bay F.C. returns to the pitch, the franchise is still in postseason contention.

Earning a point after Saturday’s 0-0 draw with El Paso moved the Union back into a tie for the eighth and final playoff spot in the United Soccer League Championship Western Conference.

However, if the season ended today, the Union — who have nine matches left in the USL season — would be slotted in the ninth spot based on tiebreaker rules.

Stewart, who took the job on August 5 after the franchise fired sporting director and head coach Frank Yallop, earned his first point as the Union’s coach after a pair of one goal losses to begin his reign.

The Union (7-11-7) have struggled to produce goals all season with just 24 in 25 matches, failing to manufacture a goal in nine matches this year.

For the second time this year, Monterey Bay F.C. has gone six or more matches without a win, having not tasted victory since earning a rare road decision in Pittsburgh on July 6.

The Union will look to end the drought next Saturday when they travel to Miami FC, who sports the worst record in the USL with just two wins.

Monterey Bay F.C. was unable to capitalize on its home pitch against the worst team in the Western Conference, as El Paso sits at 5-15-5.

Having made massive changes themselves in personnel, the Locomotives are 2-1-2 in their last five matches, having played Monterey Bay F.C. to a 1-1 draw in both teams’ opener.

While the Union are 4-3-6 at Cardinale Stadium, they have not won at home since beating Oakland back on June 22, having gone 0-3-1.

Monterey Bay F.C. got another outstanding effort between the pipes from 6-foot-6 goalie Antony Siaha, who earned his sixth shutout. The veteran goalie came into the match leading the USL in saves with 90.

Diego Gutierrez, who was acquired earlier in the week from 2023 Eastern Conference finalist Charleston, was inserted into the starting lineup for the Union.

Forward Alex Dixon had a near goal in the first half that would have given him the franchise record for goals. He currently shares the record with former Union forward Christian Volesky with 16 in just two seasons.

Since dropping its first match to El Paso in its inaugural season in 2022, Monterey Bay F.C. is 2-0-3 against their Western Conference rivals.

Snell can’t find the strike zone, but Giants hold on to beat Mariners

The Giants did a lot of things that normally spell defeat, but won anyway Saturday in Seattle.

Blake Snell couldn’t find home plate in his hometown. The Giants were 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position and left 11 runners on base.

But in the end, the Giants bounced back from a difficult defeat with a 4-3 road win over the Seattle Mariners.

Spencer Bivens (3-1) got the win with three innings of scoreless relief (and no walks) behind Snell, and recalled closer Camilo Doval set up the ninth for Ryan Walker with 1 1/3 shutout innings with a walk and two strikeouts.

Walker, who threw 25 pitches and two scoreless innings Friday night, got his third save by giving up just a single in the ninth.

Considering the Giants blew a 5-1 lead Friday night and then watched starting pitcher Snell last only three innings with six walks, coming away with a win at least enabled them to get back over .500 with a 66-65 record.

The Mariners, in their second game under Dan Wilson, who took over for the fired Scott Servais, lost for the eighth time in nine games and are 65-65.

Mike Yastrzemski hit a solo home run in the seventh inning, his 10th of the season, against reliever Austin Voth. A low line drive that barely cleared the fence, it left Yastrzemski’s bat at 105.3 miles per hour.

“It was one of those balls that you hit hard that’s definitely a tough pitch below the zone,” Yastrzemski. “I kind of top-spun it but luckily hit it hard enough to get it out. Nice to get that one and kind of feel the barrel again.”

Yaz rips one to right pic.twitter.com/GtrjDIQc4G

— SFGiants (@SFGiants) August 24, 2024

Snell grew up 14 miles from Seattle but hadn’t pitched there in six years. He gave up no runs in six innings with 12 strikeouts that day in a no decision.

He got another no decision Saturday and was as hard to hit as ever, giving up no hits in three innings. But Snell’s control deserted him, as he walked six batters including Luke Raley and Julio Rodriguez with the bases loaded to account for both Seattle runs in the second inning, during which he threw 40 pitches and walked five batters.

“He’s had a lot of inniings recently and it kind of added up for him,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said. “Obviously he didn’t have his command in the second, so we juts kind of called it a day a little bit early to give him a break. He’s been pitching deep into games, throwing a ton of pitches.”

By that point, Snell had already thrown 62 pitches — 33 of them strikes. Even with a quick 12-pitch third inning, Snell was gone in the fourth inning in favor of Bivens.

“Got a find a way to get deeper into the games,” Snell said. “I had a 40-pitch inning, but that’s why the game is beautiful. There’s always something to work on, something to learn. Something I could have told myself to make that inning quicker.”

Melvin went to the ballpark assuming Walker wouldn’t pitch, but changed his mind after talking to his closer.

“Going out to play catch today I honestly felt great,” Walker said. “Not a lot of soreness if none, so I was ready to go. I’m glad I did and was able to bounce back like that for the team.”

Seattle starter George Kirby (9-10) didn’t make it through the fifth, when the Giants took a 3-2 lead on an RBI single to left by Thairo Estrada. It brought home Yastrzemski, who hit a two-out double and went to third on a wild pitch.

The Giants scored in the first against Kirby on a sacrifice fly by Matt Chapman, but had an opportunity for more.

Tyler Fitzgerald opened with a bunt single, and after Heliot Ramos was hit by a pitch, Michael Conforto worked Kirby for an 11 pitch walk to load the bases. Chapman hit a looping liner to left that Randy Arozarena caught with a sprawling dive — knocking the wind out of himself — and bringing home Fitzgerald.

Yastrzemski was retired on a soft liner up the middle to end the inning and the Giants settled for the single run.

A run-scoring single by Fitzgerald put the Giants up 2-0 in the second, an inning in which they left runners on second and third.

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Jordan Hicks, who experienced arm discomfort while warming up Friday night, felt fine after playing catch before the game and opened the seventh inning. Leading 4-2, Hicks appeared to get out of the inning unscathed despite two walks after Arozarena hit a 3-0 pitch with the bases loaded into a double play to short. The call was reversed on appeal, however, with the run scoring from third to make it 4-3. Hicks’ velocity was down from his season average during the appearance.

A Giants challenge that Justin Turner had interfered with the exchange at second was rejected.

Doval, recalled from Sacramento, was summoned from the bullpen and walked Jorge Polanco before retiring Mitch Haniger on a grounder to short to end the inning.