Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 418

San Jose Sports Hall of Fame announces Class of 2024

John Arrillaga, Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero, Mike Holmgren and Kerri Walsh Jennings will be the newest members of the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame, it was announced Tuesday.

The four 2024 inductees will make up the South Bay organization’s 29th Hall of Fame class.

“San Jose’s incredibly rich and diverse sports history makes the Hall of Fame selection process very difficult each year,” said Charlie Faas, Chairman of the San Jose Sports Authority Board of Directors in a statement. “The Class of 2024 is a wonderful representation of the deep and meaningful impact athletes and coaches with South Bay connections have made in their respective sports, locally, nationally and internationally. We are excited to welcome these four remarkable individuals into the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame.”

Arrillaga was an all-conference basketball player at Stanford in the 1950s, but is most known for his work in helping the college build its athletic program. As a developer in Silicon Valley, Arrillaga used his reach to help build sports facilities around Stanford’s campus, including helping renovate Stanford Stadium in 2005. He died in 2022.

John Arrillaga, real estate developer and philanthropist, 1937-2022. (Raymond Purpur, Stanford Athletic Department)

Guerrero, a Gilroy native, was a Junior Olympics gold medalist at the age of 15 before turning pro. He won the IBF Featherweight title in 2006 and the IBF Super Featherweight championship three years later. Known for not ducking any fighter, Guerrero fought the likes of Floyd Mayweather Jr., Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia, Victor Ortiz and Andre Berto. He finished his career 38-6-1. 

Robert Guerrero, right, throws a jab against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the third round during a WBC welterweight title fight, Saturday, May 4, 2013, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)Related ArticlesSports | Jarren Duran’s 2-run HR gives AL a 5-3 win over NL in All-Star Game Sports | Oakland A’s closer Mason Miller sets All-Star record with 103.6 mph pitch, earns win in ASG debut Sports | TV Tinsel: NBC set for Olympic coverage, including dash of Snoop Dogg Sports | Kurtenbach: Brandon Aiyuk’s trade request is yet another unserious move by the 49ers star Sports | Warriors sign Summer League standout Daeqwon Plowden to two-way deal

Holmgren was most known for winning two Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers as an assistant coach and one with the Green Bay Packers as head coach, but his coaching career started as an offensive coordinator at Oak Grove High School from 195 to 1980. Holmgren ended his coaching career with a 174-122 record, which included 13 postseason wins. 

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, left, talks with former coach Mike Holmgren, right, after a private memorial service for San Francisco 49ers great Dwight Clark at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco on Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)

Jennings is a legend in the sport of beach volleyball. Jennings and her partner Misty May-Treanor won Olympic gold medals at Athens in 2004, Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012. A graduate of Archbishop Mitty High School, she helped win three state volleyball titles for the Monarchs along with a state basketball championship. She then went on to become a four-time volleyball All American and won two NCAA titles at Stanford.  

USA’s Kerri Walsh Jennings controls the ball during the women’s beach volleyball semi-final match between USA and Brazil at the Beach Volley Arena in Rio de Janeiro on August 16, 2016, as part of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. ( YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/Getty Images)

The four South Bay sports figures will be honored on Nov. 13 at the SAP Center in San Jose.

Former Prunedale restaurant employee arrested in 1991 cold case of slain restaurant co-owner

SALINAS >> The Monterey County District Attorney’s Office announced that charges were brought against an elderly Fresno man for murders that occurred in the 1990s.

Ira Bastian, 85, was arrested without incident July 15, and charged with the cold-case murders of George Smith, 67, and his mother-in-law Eva Thompson, 79.

Back in 1991, Smith and his wife owned and lived at Smith’s Restaurant, which was located on Ellis Camino Real in Prunedale.

On Nov. 11, 1991, Anna Smith returned home from running errands and discovered her husband George had been stabbed to death, and her mother, who was unable to walk, was dead in her hospital bed.

Bastian, who was 52 at the time, was a former employee of Smith’s Restaurant. He was considered a suspect in the original investigation, but no arrests were made at the time.

Bastian is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, with special circumstance allegations that he murdered the victims during a burglary and that he committed multiple murders.

According to the District Attorney’s Office, it is also alleged that Bastian personally used a knife during the killings.

If one or more of the special circumstances is found true by a jury, Bastian could face the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The District Attorney’s Office’s Cold Case Task Force was created in 2020, and since its inception four people have been convicted of cold-case murders in a jury trial, with four others awaiting trials.

Monterey County’s 2023 crop value at $4.35B, down 6.14% from previous year

SALINAS – Reflecting a production gross value of $4.35 billion, the 2023 County of Monterey Crop and Livestock Report was released Tuesday, with strawberries still the top-valued commodity in the county.

(County of Monterey)

The report states 2023’s value of $4,353,338,000 is a 6.14% decrease from 2022’s value of $4,638,336,000. Presented by Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner Juan Hidalgo, “overall it’s a good crop report” Hidalgo said at a press briefing prior to a formal presentation to the Monterey County Board of Supervisors.

“The theme of the report is ‘Together We Rise’ which reminds us of the resiliency of our communities and the drive of our growers to face some of the severe weather challenges that we have seen in our county and in our state in the last decade, and the innovation in technology that is going to continue to be created to manage and be ready for the challenges of the future,” said Hidalgo.

The Ag Commissioner said he thinks the change and decreasing value reflects some of the challenges that Monterey County’s agricultural industry faced in 2023 with  excessive rain.

Two major storms in January and March of 2023 resulted in flooding of low-lying areas in Monterey County which had an impact on planting schedules and resulted in commodity losses in some areas, according to the report. Cooler than usual weather in the spring and early summer also led to a slow start for some commodities.

But the impact of the weather on commodities was tempered to some extent by market demand for high-value crops produced here.

The top four valued commodities for 2023 maintained their rankings from the previous year and include strawberries leading the list with a gross production value of $903,791,000, a 5.7% decrease from 2022; leaf lettuce, including Romaine and other leaf lettuce varieties in the number-two position valued at $782,134,000, a decrease of 7.2%; head lettuce at number three with a value of $493,464,000, down 9.8%; broccoli coming in fourth with a value of $468,871,000, a decrease of 9.7%; and wine grapes jumping to the fifth position from its number-seven rank last year with a value of $194,642,000, an increase of 12%.

The figures are gross production values and do not include costs that include labor, field preparation, planting, irrigating, harvesting, distribution, pest management, cooling, marketing, equipment, assessments, regulatory costs of loss experienced by individual operations, and other production activities.

The weather in 2023 actually benefited wine grapes with the rain increasing yields through an extended season and increasing gross production value.

Jason Smith, president and CEO of Valley Farms Management, is a second-generation wine grape grower in Monterey County. He said what is unique about growing wine grapes is that it is a permanent crop harvesting once a year, as opposed to row crops which grow and are harvested in cycles.

“My positive take, specifically on Monterey County and the wine grape industry, is that we have land, water and people … much better than many other places in the state … and quality,” said Smith. “We can grow quality wine grapes. Chardonnay, pinot noir are our main varieties because it’s a cool climate, but our cycles take longer to get through.”

In 2023, wine grapes were grown on 40,200 acres in Monterey County yielding 136,000 tons with a crop value of $194.6 million. In 2022, it was 41,480 bearing acres producing 124,424 tons, with a production gross value of $173.7 million.

Mary Zischke, task force administrator with the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California, said that 2023 was a study in contrast compared to what was seen in 2022 which was marked by a dry, warm winter and seemed to encourage pest problems.

“The fall of 2022 was marked by severe crop losses in our major acreage crop, which is lettuce, caused by the plant virus INSV, something that we were terrified about seeing a repeat of in 2023,” said Zischke.

But the cold, wet winter weather in 2023 had an impact on the disease because crops were not being planted in many cases.

“We are demonstrating to the world that we’re a pretty resilient area as far as corp production is concerned,” said Zischke. “We’ve been challenged with droughts, we’ve been challenged with severe pest management issues, and yet we still put out over a billion dollar crop every year when it comes to lettuce.”

Lettuce crop acreage in 2023 was 100,700 with a production gross value of $1.275 billion, compared to 2022 when 103,558 acres of lettuce crops had a value of $1.389 billion.

(County of Monterey)

Other categories of commodities also had a decline in their valuations.

The vegetable crops category saw a decrease in value of 7.9% to $2.88 billion and the fruit and nuts category had a decrease of 3.5% to $1.19 billion.

“Decreases in crop production values across the board reflect the inability to produce during extreme precipitation events,” said Norm Groot, Monterey County Farm Bureau executive director.

Groot said the weather events in 2023 not only dissolved levy systems and washed away topsoil, but presented a recovery that was not easy and placed a financial drain on resources that should have been used for crop production.

“Local growers received little in state and federal assistance to offset these financial losses,” said Groot. “All this contributes to a lower gross production value for our county, but also significant income losses for our farmers. When crops are delayed, harvest is delayed, and that means a loss of revenue that cannot be recovered.”

But farmers and ranchers can rise above the challenges and continue to grow the food supply by overcoming these obstacles and adapting to change, he said.

Hidalgo said this year’s crop report theme reminds the people of Monterey County of the viability of agriculture here in facing various natural disaster events in the last decade, which has been one of the most challenging. He credits the dedication of growers and the more than 62,000 agricultural workers for the continued production of commodities in Monterey County, making it a leader in the state and the nation.

Pacific Grove council gets demographic results

A report on Pacific Grove’s demographics has been completed and is included in Wednesday’s city council agenda.

The council has been in discussions about getting a completed report done since March to help them make a decision on whether the city should move to a by-district voting system.

The report, provided by the National Demographics Corporation, provides an overview of the city’s residents in addition to a series of tables that depict the city’s economic characteristics by race.

The demographic overview concludes that Pacific Grove has 15,125 residents; 71 percent are non-Hispanic white, 14 percent are Latino/Hispanic, two percent are Black/African-American and 11 percent are Asian/Pacific Islander. The report also breaks down the population into voter registration, economic characteristics, housing, education attainment, and immigrant and English fluency.

The report also goes into detail about the criteria required for a city to switch to a by-district election.

The council will also hear an update on the Congress, Cedar and Sunset Intersection Safety Improvement Project, which focuses on the improvement on the intersection of Cedar Street, Congress Avenue and Sunset Drive near Pacific Grove High School and Forest Grove Elementary School. The area is heavy in traffic and frequented by pedestrians and bikers.

The proposal is to create a roundabout with access to Cedar Street relocated.

“The roundabout design poses the best option to address safety concerns, increase visibility, enhance pedestrian crossings, address bicyclist concerns and more,” Wednesday’s agenda reads.

City staff are in the process of working with Caltrans to get approval for the project, by pursing a traditional project approval and a streamlined approach at the same time.

The Pacific Grove City Council meeting will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Pacific Grove City Hall, 300 Forest Ave. The meeting will also be available to watch via Zoom at www.cityofpacificgrove.org/Zoom_CC.

Nearly half of cancers linked to lifestyle factors, study finds

Helena Oliviero | The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (TNS)

About 40% of new cancer cases among U.S. adults — and nearly half of all cancer deaths — are linked to lifestyle risk factors including smoking, obesity and alcohol consumption, according to a new study by American Cancer Society.

The study points to the possibility that the daily choices people make can give them some control over their cancer risk. The exact cause of most cancers are unknown and many are outside an individual’s control.

A list of lifestyle risk factors were identified in the study that put people at a greater risk of a cancer diagnosis in their lifetimes. Cigarette smoking was by far the leading risk factor, contributing to nearly 1 in 5 cancer cases and about a third of of all cancer deaths. Excess body weight was next, contributing to nearly 8% of cancer cases, followed by alcohol consumption and excessive sun exposure, each linked to about 5% of cases. Physical inactivity was associated with 3% of cancer cases.

Researchers analyzed a total of 18 risk factors across 30 types of cancers. Other risk factors that contributed to cancer cases at a lesser degree include eating red and processed meat; low consumption of fruits and vegetables; and infections with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and human papillomavirus (HPV), according to researchers. The findings were published Thursday in the journal CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.

In 2019, these lifestyle factors were linked to nearly 715,000 cancer cases and about 262,000 deaths.

The findings are not exactly new, but they add to mounting research that shows many cancer cases — and as many as half the deaths — can be prevented with lifestyle changes.

“Despite considerable declines in smoking prevalence during the past few decades, the number of lung cancer deaths attributable to cigarette smoking in the United States is alarming. This finding underscores the importance of implementing comprehensive tobacco control policies in each state to promote smoking cessation, as well as heightened efforts to increase screening for early detection of lung cancer, when treatment could be more effective,” said Dr. Farhad Islami, senior scientific director of cancer disparity research at the American Cancer Society and lead author of the report.

Writing in a press release, Islami said interventions to help maintain a healthy body weight could lower the number of cases and deaths, and is particularly important among young people with early-onset cancers. Cancer cases in people under 50 have seen a sharp rise in recent years.

Despite the findings that people have more control than they think over their cancer risk, there are still many questions about who gets cancer and why.

About 10% of cancers are caused by factors that were inherited or genetic.

Colon cancer, which was once a more distant cause of cancer death in both men and women, is now a leading cause of cancer death for men and women under 50. Experts say some risk factors including obesity and a lack of physical activity could be playing a role but they still don’t know what’s causing the jump in cases among younger adults.

Related ArticlesHealth | Taking Ozempic or other weight-loss meds? Watch your diet to avoid ‘exchanging one problem for another’ Health | Barbara Intermill, On Nutrition: Sugar in wine? Health | From Dr. Oz to heart valves: A tiny device charted a contentious path through the FDA Health | Fine, white hairs on your nose? Could indicate cancer, doctor warns Health | Aptos | Noble Harvest lavender farm welcomes public In Georgia, the American Cancer Society estimated 63,170 people will be diagnosed with cancer this year. This includes 9,840 women will get breast cancer, 9,620 men will get prostate cancer, and 7,350 of both sexes will get lung cancer. An estimated 4,940 Georgians will also be diagnosed with colon cancer.

Last year, there were an estimated 61,170 new cancer cases in Georgia, according to ACS.

In this new ACS study, researchers used nationally representative data on cancer incidence and mortality and risk factor prevalence to estimate the proportion and number of cancer cases and deaths attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors overall for 30 cancer types. The study doesn’t include non-melanoma skin cancers.

Some cancers have more of a direct link to risk factors than others, according to the study. For example, about 90% of melanoma cases are linked to ultraviolet radiation, and virtually every case of cervical cancer is linked to HPV infection, which can be prevented with an HPV vaccine, according to the study.

Lung cancer tops the list with the most number of cases associated with a modifiable risk factor — with the vast majority of cases linked to smoking, including current and former smoking habits as well as secondhand smoke.

Excess body was associated with 11% of breast cancer cases, 14% of stomach cancer cases and about half of endometrial cancer cases.

“These findings show there is a continued need to increase equitable access to preventive health care and awareness about preventive measures,” added Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, senior vice president, surveillance and health equity science at the American Cancer Society and senior author of the study.

©2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

What we can learn from ‘Money Moms’

By Kimberly Palmer | NerdWallet

When you have money questions, sometimes a friendly chat with others in similar situations can spark helpful answers. If you’re a mom, those conversations can take place within moms groups. There are local groups like Utah Money Moms, private Facebook groups for single moms and entrepreneurial moms, and many websites geared toward moms interested in sharing smart saving, spending and earning tips.

These groups exist because there is a demand for them, says Amanda Christensen, founder of Utah Money Moms as well as an accredited financial counselor and extension professor at Utah State University. On the Utah Money Moms site, women can pick up tips on topics such as how to save money, how to discuss finances with a partner and how to trim expenses.

“I created the site in an attempt to make personal finance more approachable for women,” she says, citing the gender wage gap and research that shows fewer women feel confident about finances compared with men.

Groups and resources targeted at moms can be especially helpful, says Maria Bailey, author of “Marketing to Millennial Moms,” because moms benefit from learning from one another, especially when they are facing similar challenges such as juggling child care and other costs of young children.

“We’re seeing a rise of these groups, especially among younger and Gen Z moms, out of a sense of empowerment,” Bailey says, adding that “young moms in particular have a strong sense of self.”

If you’re looking to get helpful information out of a money-oriented moms group, experts offer the following tips.

(Kimberly Palmer shares how she talks about money with other moms.)

Find people with similar challenges

Pamela Horack, a certified financial planner who calls herself “Your Financial Mom,” recommends finding moms who are at similar life stages to you, whether that’s buying diapers or sending kids off to college.

“We’re experiencing the same life events at the same time, and money is a part of that, so it’s really important for women to be able to bounce ideas off of each other,” Horack says. A group of like-minded moms offers a support system of sorts as you navigate day care costs, plan family vacations or manage allowances, she adds.

Moms are also often interested in finding ways to support their families, whether by exploring options to earn extra income or looking for strategic ways to save, Bailey says. “Moms are motivated by finding solutions and nurturing, and talking about money is part of that,” she says.

Emma Johnson, creator of the private Facebook group Millionaire Single Moms and author of “The 50/50 Solution,” says women in her group have shared valuable advice on issues related to divorce and money management for single moms. “I get messages from women all the time that the Facebook group has changed them,” she says.

Share tips on day-to-day life and long-term planning

Moms can have a lot on their financial plates, from the weekly grocery budget to longer-term saving for college and retirement. Horack says the most helpful moms groups cover that entire spectrum of issues.

“Everybody is really worried about budgeting, because if you can’t budget now, then you’re not going to have money for your retirement later,” Horack says, adding that sharing ideas about tracking expenses and trimming costs can be extremely helpful. “Getting your fixed expenses under control is a good strategy; then you can have money available when non-monthly expenses come up,” she says.

Horack also suggests discussing how to teach kids about money, which is another popular parenting topic. Even a discussion about the words you use with kids when discussing money and the subtle messages you may be sending can be a useful conversation, and other moms might have perspectives you hadn’t previously considered.

Watch out for scams or inaccurate information

The proliferation of online moms groups has attracted scam artists, which means anyone seeking camaraderie online needs to be on guard. Johnson warns against interacting with anyone online who asks for your personal information or money.

She says she often has to kick people out of her private Facebook group when they start trying to sell goods or services to members. To keep online groups free from potential scams, Johnson says, you have to actively manage them.

It’s also a good idea to remain skeptical of any advice you see online until you verify it with your own research.

Be inclusive

Sometimes, expanding your group beyond moms can make sense, Christensen notes. She says she’s currently rebranding her “Utah Money Moms” site so it will no longer have “mom” in the name in an effort “to be more inclusive of all women, regardless of their role.”

Many of the most popular topics, including setting financial goals and tracking spending, apply to parents and non-parents alike, which means we can all learn from one another.

More From NerdWallet

How Kim Palmer Talks About Money With Other MomsHow to Save for RetirementHow to Get Free Baby Stuff

Kimberly Palmer writes for NerdWallet. Email: kpalmer@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @kimberlypalmer.

The article What We Can Learn From ‘Money Moms’ originally appeared on NerdWallet.

Tips on planning a trip on a budget

Lacey Pfalz | (TNS) TravelPulse

Planning a trip can be a daunting task, but it can feel impossible when you’re trying to stay within a reasonable budget. Yet Travel Insured International offers a few important tips to remember to help make your travel planning process go smoothly and ensure you’ll stay within your budget, no matter how far you’ll be traveling from home.

Be realistic about your budget

The first step to any travel planning is to be honest about how much you can reasonably spend on your trip. Consider everything from transportation and accommodation (the two biggest expenses), to things like food and even souvenirs. If you already have a destination in mind, search for those flights and accommodations, and write down what you expect them to cost based on your research.

Travel Insured International also recommends to include a small buffer for unexpected expenses, and to allocate some money towards purchasing a travel insurance plan, which can help you save money if you need to cancel or change your trip, or for certain unexpected events like losing your luggage.

Choosing your destination

Let’s be real: Some destinations are just pricier than others. We recommend using online resources to find second-city destinations or, if you’re traveling internationally, to pick destinations where the U.S. dollar has a higher value than the local currency, ensuring you’ll likely get more for your hard-earned dollars.

Remember to be flexible with travel dates and even your destinations when planning on a budget.

If you can’t choose your destination, or you know you want to visit a more popular, pricier locale, then the next tips are definitely for you.

Travel off-season

This is one of the best ways to travel cheaper, and there are also some great benefits, such as fewer crowds in popular destinations. Flights, accommodations and even some attractions will all be cheaper in many destinations when travel demand is low — that’s why we recommend traveling to many summer-popular destinations (like Rome or Paris) in the winter. Sure, you’ll have to pack that jacket, but you’ll also be able to save hundreds of dollars and enjoy less crowded everything!

To save on airfare any time, consider traveling midweek instead of during the weekend, when many travelers consider it convenient to do so. This might save you a few hundred dollars, too.

Additionally, it’s important not to book your flights at the last minute. You should book your flights at least three months in advance to get the best deals, and price shoppers can use a variety of websites to compare airlines and dates to get their preferred deals.

Affordable accommodations

Besides getting to your destination, paying for accommodations is likely the second biggest expense of any trip. That’s why it’s important to choose the one that works for your budget: budget hotels, vacation rentals or hostels might be the best options for those looking to tighten their belts. If you’re looking to save money, consider lowering your expectations.

Use public transportation

Many cities around the world offer cheap public transportation not just for the residents, but for travelers, too. Buses, trains and metro systems are all great options for travelers to save money, instead of using costly taxis or rideshares.

Make sure to research your destination’s public transportation options prior to arrival, and consider a travel pass that allows for unlimited travel for a fixed period to get the most out of your trip.

Meal planning

Heavy tourist areas can offer pricey meals for convenience, so it’s important to plan some of your meals to be more affordable. Check out local markets and street food options, or smaller hole-in-the-wall haunts away from touristy areas.

If you’ll be staying in a destination longer term, consider staying in an accommodation with a kitchen or kitchenette that offers the ability to cook your own food. Doing this instead of eating out at every meal can save you money, too.

Search for free activities and experiences

While it’s important to budget the price of entry to incredible attractions like the Louvre or the Colosseum (and often to purchase tickets in advance prior to traveling), there are also many events and experiences you can enjoy on a budget, or without any cash at all!

The Internet is a great resource for these: visit blogs written by locals in your destination, or visit the destination’s tourism website to get a calendar of the major events. Parks and some museums in certain destinations could also be free, or fairly inexpensive to visit.

Some destinations also offer a multi-use pass that can provide entry into several different museums or attractions at a reduced cost, which might come in handy if you’re interested in visiting the attractions listed.

Use those rewards points

Are you a frequent traveler? If so, it can save you money to be part of a hotel or airline loyalty reward program. Many credit cards also offer travel rewards points that you can redeem for flights, hotels, upgrades and even experiences, which can save you money in the long run.

The bottom line

Traveling on a budget is possible, but it takes flexibility, open-mindedness and the desire to research everything thoroughly. If you think you have what it takes, then take these tips and use them to plan your next dream vacation on a budget.

_______

©2024 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Visit at travelpulse.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Horoscopes July 16, 2024: Will Ferrell, build quality friendships

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Gareth Bale, 35; AnnaLynne McCord, 37; Corey Feldman, 53; Will Ferrell, 57.

Happy Birthday: Take the initiative and be the one to make things happen. You’ll gain notoriety in your circle or community if you offer innovative suggestions and confidently lead the way. You may fear change, but exploring the possibilities will be in your best interest. Activities that get you moving will lead to a healthier lifestyle and the chance to build quality friendships that encourage personal growth. Your numbers are 5, 18, 20, 24, 34, 39, 43.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Discipline is necessary to maintain momentum and reach your goal. Pay attention to your budget and how you use your money and skills to further your prospects. Keeping fit will depend on your emotional well-being and ability to adapt to change. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): If you are observant, you will gain insight that will alter your perspective regarding meaningful relationships. Don’t let emotional conversations turn ugly. Choose your battles wisely and set boundaries that protect you from abusive individuals and bad situations. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Review your options and implement a positive lifestyle change. Refuse to let outsiders control your routine or interfere with your personal goals. It’s up to you to stay on top of your health, happiness and personal growth. Love and romance are in the stars. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Consider who you know you can rely on for good advice. Reach out to groups that share your concerns. It’s time to expand, explore your interests and take responsibility for your happiness. Choose to use your attributes to follow your dreams and aspirations. 5 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Proceed with caution. Be wary of anyone enforcing questionable changes. Do your research and look for alternatives that suit your lifestyle and needs. Don’t hesitate to be secretive until you have everything in place and an excellent chance to come out on top. Timing is critical. 2 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Express your feelings. You can resolve issues if you are honest about what you want and expect from others. Being secretive will cause confusion and lead to uncertainty. Overreacting or an unwillingness to compromise will be to your detriment. Listen and focus on making positive changes. 4 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Take care of what’s hanging over your head before you start something new. Making excuses, putting off chores or ignoring issues will lead to underlying problems. Lift the weight, and opportunities will flow your way. Stop procrastinating, take care of business and set yourself free. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Stop worrying about pleasing everyone. Do what’s best for you, and don’t look back. Surround yourself with people who share your interests and do your best to make a difference. Kindness and consideration will buy you a pass to personal freedom to pick and choose for yourself. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Ask direct questions if someone is giving you the runaround. Get the statistics and facts straight from the source before you agree to join forces with someone. An opportunity is apparent but may require you to move forward alone. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Share your thoughts and plans and see who’s on board. An emotional union will change how you feel about someone. Don’t hesitate to show appreciation for someone you love. An energetic attitude and a unique approach to life will help you build a robust support system. 4 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Take your time, observe what’s unfolding around you and question anything that doesn’t appear fair or lacks common sense. Emphasize home improvement, meaningful relationships and establishing boundaries that give everyone you care about equal opportunities. 2 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): A change looks promising if you stick to your budget and refuse to let outside influences disrupt your plans. Isolate yourself until you have established your plans and cleared a path to achieving your goal. Refuse to let temptation set in. 5 stars

Birthday Baby: You are changeable, ambitious and persuasive. You are demonstrative and generous.

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. 

Best campfire starter

Which campfire starter is best?

Whether you’re going on a weekend camping trip or a monthlong adventure in the middle of nowhere, a reliable, durable and easy-to-use campfire starter could be critical to your survival.

It’s also a huge bonus when your fire starter can do more than one thing, so you don’t have to bring as many items. The Gerber Bear Grylls Fire Starter is a top pick because it is compact, waterproof and comes with a survival guide.

What to know before you buy a campfire starterWhat is a campfire starter?

To start a fire, you need oxygen, fuel and heat. A campfire starter creates the spark to ignite a flame. You can get a fire starter with the fuel source built into the heat source or get each separately.

Two quick, easy and accurate fire-starting methods with built-in accelerants are matches and a lighter. You can also get a flint and steel or a ferrocerium rod and striker, which take a little more work to get a fire going but are more durable, naturally waterproof and can light more fires than the other two methods combined. Some struggle with them because they require added accelerants, but those are ample, lightweight and easy to pack.

Types of campfire starters

Most professional survivalists suggest carrying at least one backup campfire starter in case the first fails or gets lost. If you want to be extra safe, take two backups. There are four types of fire starters for you to consider:

Matches: These small sticks are coated in combustible material that ignites when hit against a strike pad. They come in standard and waterproof varieties.Lighter: These can be electric- or butane-based. They create a flame with the press of a wheel or button.Fire piston: This is also known as a slam rod fire starter and comes with a rod, tube and tinder. Tinder is placed at the bottom of the tube and ignites when the rod is slammed into the tube.Flint and steel: A ferrocerium rod and striker are in the same category and work the same way. When you strike the flint or striker against the steel or rod, a fire-igniting spark erupts and lands in an accelerant, which creates a flame.Campfire accelerants

Fire accelerants, also known as flame extenders, are crucial as they take the flame or spark and turn it into a stable, roaring fire. They are required when your heat and fuel sources are separate. However, since they simplify the campfire-building process, many also use them with matches and lighters. There are nine types to consider:

Birch barkDuct tape rolled upMagnesium shavingsWax and sawdust in cubes or cupsCotton balls dipped in hand sanitizerCotton balls dunked in petroleum jellyCotton disks coated in wax and an accelerantWax- or Chapstick-doused rope or twineProprietary blends, such as Pyro Putty, Fireflame and Fatwood

 

What to look for in a quality campfire starterReliable

Because you’re not apt to have many backups, your campfire starter must be reliable. The best way to ensure its dependability is to get one that can withstand the elements and is labeled windproof, dustproof and waterproof.

Small and lightweight

While a lighter and fatwood can create a robust fire, they are not ideal if your campsite requires a hike and you need to carry them on your back with your other essentials. The best campfire starters are small, lightweight and won’t create bulk in your pack. Keep your heat source small and your fuel source even smaller.

Multipurpose

Consider the other tools you need while camping, such as a safety whistle, flashlight and survival guide, then try to get them in one purchase. While add-ons mustn’t come at the cost of a quality fire starter, space is precious when camping, and it’s helpful when each item can do multiple things.

How much you can expect to spend on a campfire starter

Depending on the brand, materials and included items, they range from $10-$50, with an average price around $10-$20.

Campfire starter FAQIs getting a flint and steel rod with a large strike capacity good?

A. Strike quality is more important than strike quantity. Fire steels that can withstand a lot of strikes are typically made from harder materials that don’t chip away easily, which generates less spark. You want one from softer materials that can create a larger spark, increasing your chances of success on the first strike.

What’s a good way to ensure you’ve bought the right fire starter?

A. Test it at home. It’s vital to test all camping essentials in a controlled environment before depending on them to work in the wild.

What’s the best campfire starter to buy?Top campfire starter

 

Gerber Bear Grylls Fire Starter

What you need to know: This waterproof all-in-one kit has an attached safety whistle and other bonus tools.

What you’ll love: It comes with a ferrocerium rod, metal striker and an airtight container to secure your items. It also includes a survival guide, and the container has an attached lanyard you can use to place the kit around your neck for quick access.

What you should consider: Some reviewers said the kit is slightly bigger than they hoped it would be.

 

Top campfire starter for the money

Uco Stormproof Match Kit with Waterproof Case

What you need to know: These matches stay lit no matter what you throw at them.

What you’ll love: This set comes with 25 matches that can burn up to 15 seconds, three strikers and a waterproof case. The matches are windproof, waterproof and dirtproof. The flame stays lit, even when fully submerged in water.

What you should consider: Some people reported that the bottom stems on the matches are a bit fragile.

 

Worth checking out

Suprus Waterproof Lighter Three Modes

What you need to know: This windproof lighter is ideal for short trips and longer ones if you have access to a power source.

What you’ll love: This waterproof lighter comes with a wrist lanyard, a safety whistle and a built-in flashlight with three modes. It also has a USB charging cable and charges in about 1.5 hours. It’s butane-free and can work in any weather.

What you should consider: There were mixed reports regarding its battery life, which is contingent upon how often you use it.  

 

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

Barry Dolowich, Tax Tips: Deductions on rental residence or vacation home

Question: We just purchased a home to be used as our primary residence and are currently remodeling it. The debate is whether we should sell our old home or convert it into a vacation rental property to earn some extra money. If we keep the old home, we plan on still using our old home for a few months a year. What are the tax consequences?

Answer: Special rules limit the amount of deductions that may be taken in connection with the rental of a residence or vacation home, or a portion thereof, which is also used as the taxpayer’s residence.

Vacation home definition — A vacation home is deemed to have been used by the taxpayer for personal purposes if for any part of the day the home is used:

1, for personal purposes by the taxpayer, any other person who owns an interest in the home, or the relatives (spouses, brothers, sisters, ancestors, lineal descendants, and spouses of lineal descendants) of either;

2, by any individual who uses the home under a reciprocal arrangement (bartering), whether or not a rental is charged; and

3,  by any other individual who uses the home unless a fair rental is charged.

If the taxpayer rents the home at a fair rental value to any person (including a relative listed above), for use as that person’s principal residence, such use by that person is not considered personal use by the taxpayer. The term “vacation home” means a dwelling unit, including a house, apartment, condominium, house trailer, boat, or similar property.

Minimum rental use — If the property is rented for less than 15 days during the year, no deductions attributable to such rental are allowable and no rental income is includible in gross income. Deductions allowed without regard to whether or not the home is used for business or the production of income, such as those for mortgage interest, property taxes, or a casualty loss, are not affected by these limitation rules.

Minimum personal use — If the home is not used by you for personal purposes for (a) more than 14 days during the tax year or (b) more than 10% of the number of days during the year for which the home is rented at a fair market rental, whichever is greater, deduction limitations (Code Section 280A) do not apply. However, the deductibility of expenses still may be subject to the hobby loss rules (Code Section 183) if rental of the residence is not engaged in for profit.

Code Section 280A deduction limitations. If the property is rented for 15 or more days during the tax year and is used by you for personal purposes for the greater of (a) more than 14 days or (b) more than 10% of the number of days during the year for which the home is rented, the rental deductions may not exceed the amount by which the gross income derived by such activity exceeds the deductions otherwise allowable for the property, such as interest and taxes. According to the IRS, expenses attributable to the use of the rental unit are limited in the same manner as that prescribed under the hobby loss rules (i.e., the total deductions may not exceed the gross rental income and the expenses are further limited to a percentage that represents the total days rented divided by the total days used).

I also suggest that you discuss the potential loss of the $500,000 capital gain exclusion for principal residence sales with your income tax preparer as this issue may affect your decision-making process and timing.

Barry Dolowich is a certified public accountant and owner of a full-service accounting and tax practice with offices in Monterey. He can be reached at (831) 372-7200. Please address any questions to Barry at PO Box 710 Monterey, CA 93942-0710 or email: bdolowich@gmail.com