Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 425

Barbara Rose Shuler, Intermezzo: Carmel Bach Festival, a season of passion

The Carmel Bach Festival enters its 87th season Saturday with a new leadership team guiding the creative forces in two weeks of world class main concerts, chamber recitals, master classes, family and showcase concerts, Tower brass, lectures and pre-festival events.  Norwegian artistic director and principal conductor Grete Pedersen leads the ensemble in an opening night performance of J. S. Bach’s St. John Passion, marking the 300th anniversary of the first performance of the masterwork on Good Friday of 1724.

From Bach, Pedersen chose the theme of passion for this summer’s music making, embracing a wide swath of human emotions from suffering to joy. Main concert highlights include Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Arvo Pärt’s Passio, Edvard Grieg’s piano concerto, vocal works by Mozart, Barber, and Leonard Bernstein, a Celtic journey, music from Bach’s library in the Carmel Mission, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5. A profusion of chamber recitals and special events take place during the days and early evenings.

“I am thrilled to return to Carmel this summer for my second season,” says Pedersen. “The atmosphere and shared experiences we have are unique. I am looking forward to collaborating with the incredible musicians. … The Carmel Bach Festival is a precious place for art.”

Grete Pedersen, artistic director and principal conductor of the Carmel Bach Festival, will open this year’s Festival with a performance of J. S. Bach’s St. John Passion, (Randy Tunnell — Special to the Herald)Main concerts

Pedersen’s concept of Saturday’s St. John Passion is a “global passion” that introduces multiple languages into the text at certain places to convey the universality of the message in Bach’s setting of the Biblical story.

Returning vocal soloists, soprano Clara Rottsolk and bass-baritone Dashon Burton, will be joined by new singers, mezzo-soprano Abigail Nims and tenor Andrew Staples. In 2009, Nims participated in the Festival’s Virginia Best Adams’ Masterclass. Staples makes his debut with Carmel Bach this summer and appears as the Evangelist in the Passion.

Sunday’s program begins with Anton Bruckner’s “Locus Iste” (This place), a sacred motet composed for four unaccompanied voices, followed by modernist John Cage’s famous work 4’33” that asks the audience to contemplate ambient sounds in silence. The monumental 9th Symphony of Beethoven concludes the evening.

Concertmaster Peter Hanson’s Monday evening concerts, a favorite ticket for return audiences, is often an immersion in glorious Baroque concertos and gems for string players. Hanson calls this program “Timespan” this year and opens it with 12th-century Hildegard of Bingen’s haunting antiphon, “O Virtus Sapientie” (Oh Strength of Wisdom). 18th-century delights of Vivaldi, Bach and Rameau lead to Max Richter’s contemporary take on Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons,” a virtuoso work that dazzled Carmel audiences last year when the group Delirium Musicum performed it at the Sunset Center.

British tenor Andrew Staples sings the pivotal role of the Evangelist in the opening night program of the St. John Passion.(Courtesy photo)

Tuesdays, Pedersen leads the soloists and the ensemble in a program juxtaposing music by American composers Leonard Bernstein and Samuel Barber with a Haydn symphony and arias from Mozart’s “Magic Flute.” At 5 p.m., Andrew Megill, artistic advisor and director of choral activities, conducts contemporary composer Arvo Pärt’s Passio at Monterey’s First Presbyterian Church, a brilliant and contemplative setting of the same text Bach used for his St. John Passion.

Meggill leads Wednesday’s traditional Carmel Mission program with the Festival chorale showcasing music from Bach’s Library. He invites you to enjoy the music Bach loved most, including works by Vivaldi and Zelenka.  The program concludes with a cantata by Caroline Shaw, the youngest composer ever to win the Pulitzer Prize and who is a friend to many in the Festival’s chorale and orchestra. Her composition “To the Hands” is inspired by the music of Buxtehude, another of Bach’s contemporaries who greatly influenced him.

On Thursdays, ticketholders are transported across the sea to Ireland and Scotland with Edwin Huizinga and William Colter for another crossover of classical, folk and new compositions, always a popular musical adventure at the Festival.

The main concert cycle closes Fridays with “These Worlds in Us,” taking its title from composer Missy Mazzoli’s work featured on this program. She says, “I like the idea that music can reflect painful and blissful sentiments in a single note or gesture, and I sought to create a sound palette that I hope is at once completely new and strangely familiar to the listener.”

Pedersen brings Mazzoli together with Grieg and Beethoven for a dramatic climax to the week featuring the orchestra and pianist Eric Lu in the Grieg concerto. Lu, who makes his Carmel debut in this program, has been praised for his “playing of high emotional intelligence, always geared to a connective and longer view, delivered by unfussy, unflappable and prodigiously complete technique.”  The week finishes with a performance of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony.  Lu also brings his poetic virtuosity to a solo concert of works by Handel, Schubert and Chopin on Sunday, July 21.

Pianist Eric Lu will be featured in two concerts. (Courtesy photo)Chamber concerts, masterclasses, lectures and more

Though the main concerts, repeated the second week, are the highest profile offerings of the Festival each year, the outstanding artists of the ensemble present daily performances that display their talents in traditional Bach organ recitals, instrumental chamber programs, cantatas and other vocal performances, as well as masterclass showcases, family and young artist programs and more. Tower brass members play in the courtyards and lectures take place on the Sunset Terrace before main concerts.

Saying hello and goodbye

It’s a season of transitions for the Festival.  Pedersen joined the ensemble last year as its new artistic leader and became the first woman to be hired for this position. Sadly, Stephen Freidlander, the organization’s much loved and admired executive director, died suddenly earlier this year. On July 3, friends and colleagues gathered on the Sunset Terrace for a tender remembrance of his nine years with the ensemble, led by the board’s first vice-president Sandi Borthwick. It was an hour of reminiscences and exquisite music honoring Friedlander’s wisdom, wry humor, leadership talent, and profound commitment to the music and creative life of the Festival.

New Executive Director Nathan Lutz took the administrative reins in the spring, bringing not only his management skills but a professional musician’s knowledge of how the artistic elements come together.  He has a charming, easygoing manner along with a focused intelligence that seems just right for this Festival. He may be one of those individuals who, like his predecessor, doesn’t miss much.

An interesting conversation

I sat down with Lutz and his longtime friend and mentor Derek Weller, who taught him to play the double bass as a youngster and filled his imagination early on with tales about his summers in Carmel at the Bach Festival. Weller, a beautiful soul with a contagious love for music, has been a member of the ensemble for over 30 years.

“The bass is the foundation of the orchestra,” he says. “At a concert you hear violins or an oboe solo, but the truth is that it’s important for the bass section to be strong, like the foundation of a house. Every good conductor, including Grete who is a fantastic conductor, knows that the bass sets the rhythm, the harmony, the foundation of the sound.”

“It’s very satisfying to play because of that,” Lutz added. “Everything else is building on top of the pitch or the rhythms you are playing.” He started playing bass in the sixth grade and had the good fortune to live 10 minutes away from his renowned teacher.  He took weekly lessons until he left for college.

“I always thought Derek had a very glamorous summer,” Lutz said. “The Bach Festival seemed very prestigious and exciting.”

When asked what kind of student Lutz was, Weller described him as receptive, a listener who pays attention to instructions. “He works hard and is talented and intelligent” and added, “That’s why he is going to be a good leader of this organization, because he listens to what we have to say. I know he will take charge when he needs to and make decisions when he needs to, and he will listen to all the facts. He’s confident, but he won’t let his ego get in the way.”

When asked for his impressions of Pedersen’s vision for the Festival, Lutz said, “I think she is extremely collaborative, probably the most I’ve ever seen in a music director. She wants input from everyone, and she really listens. She’s also adventurous. I find that people who really love the early music world take that same sense of investigation to new music. You really see that in Grete’s programming.”

Weller will be playing in many of the main concerts, including the Beethoven symphonies and the Passion. To see him in a chamber music setting, buy a ticket to Thursday evening’s Twilight in the Cathedral concert in Monterey.

Tickets and information

The many Festival events take place in locations around Carmel and throughout the Monterey Peninsula. Most main concerts will be presented without intermission and run about 75 minutes. Discounted ticket prices are available for students, active and retired military and children. For tickets, details, times and locations visit www.bachfestival.org or call (831) 624-1521.

Klay Thompson believes he could be Mavs’ missing piece after leaving Warriors

By SCHUYLER DIXON | AP Sports Writer

DALLAS (AP) — Klay Thompson remembers telling Luka Doncic he thought the Dallas superstar was on a path to greatness after the Warriors beat the Mavericks in the Western Conference finals two years ago.

Now that Thompson has left the only NBA team he has known in 13 years to join Doncic and Kyrie Irving in Texas, he’s ready to celebrate with, rather than console, the 25-year-old sensation.

“He was real gracious in defeat,” Thompson said of Doncic on Tuesday during his introductory news conference with the Mavs. “I just appreciate someone who is not afraid of the moment and competes till the end. Luka fits that bill. I think we’ll be able to bring the best out of each other.”

The Warriors went on to win the last of their four championships with Thompson and Stephen Curry in 2022.

Two years later, an admittedly difficult season for Thompson ended with his scoreless 0-for-10 showing in a loss to Sacramento in the play-in tournament.

He suspected that might be the end of his time with the team that drafted him 11th overall in 2011.

“Sometimes change can spur greatness, Thompson said of leaving the Warriors. “A new change of scenery can do wonders. I’m very grateful for my time at Golden State, but I just felt like moving on could just reenergize me.”

Thompson disappointed his dad, Los Angeles Lakers player-turned-broadcaster Mychal Thompson, by picking Doncic and Irving over LeBron James and Anthony Davis in free agency.

Watching the Mavs lose to Boston in five games in the NBA Finals had plenty to do with the decision.

“I was watching just as a basketball fan, and I did see, like, ‘Man, I could really help this team. They’re right there,’” Thompson said. “Not big adjustments, but just very little adjustments from getting over the top. We’re knocking on the door, and that’s what really got me excited to be here.”

Thompson joined the Mavericks in a sign-and-trade deal involving six teams and a $50 million, three-year contract for the 34-year-old, a five-time All-Star. The Warriors received forward Kyle Anderson and 3-point specialist Buddy Hield.

Klay Thompson poses with his jersey after an NBA news conference at the Dallas Mavericks basketball team’s practice facility in Dallas, Tuesday, July 9, 2024.(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas also added free agent forward Naji Marshall on a $27 million, three-year deal and acquired Quentin Grimes from Detroit in a trade that sent Tim Hardaway Jr. and three second-round picks to the Pistons.

Marshall and Grimes were already on board when they got news of the Thompson deal.

“I told everybody, ‘I’m about to get a ring,’” said Grimes, who was born and raised in the Houston area. “One of the best shooters of all time, for me as a shooter coming in, I’m going to learn from him every day. We’ve got a good group of guys, and when we got Klay, I’m like, ‘The sky’s the limit.’”

Thompson has had two full seasons since knee and Achilles injuries that sidelined him for 2 1/2 seasons. He is coming off his lowest scoring average in 11 years (17.9 points per game), and Thompson basically matched his career worst by shooting 38.7% from 3-point range.

Although Thompson came off the bench just 14 times in 77 games last season, he hadn’t done that since his rookie year. This helps explain why Curry, among several fond farewells for his longtime “Splash Brother,” said he hoped more than anything that Thompson could find joy in the game again.

“There was times last year it was tough, where it wasn’t as joyful as it had been in the past,” Thompson said. “It’s nice to kind of shed that and have a whole new fresh start, whole new group of guys to get to know. A whole new city. It’s really cool. And I’m going to embrace the heck out of this opportunity.”

Thompson said one of the first players to reach out was Irving, whose career has been rejuvenated in Dallas. They entered the league together in 2011 — Irving was the No. 1 overall pick by Cleveland — and faced each other three consecutive years in the NBA Finals.

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While the friendship with Irving helps, two trips at least to the West finals in three years is a big part of the reason Dallas landed a big name in free agency after years of disappointment.

“Everyone wants to be a part of a winner,” said assistant general manager Michael Finley, a former Mavs star who has been in the front office for a decade. “In the past, Dallas has had some winning teams, but we just couldn’t get over the hump of being a consistent winner. Winning is very easy to sell to athletes nowadays.”

Thompson knows winning, and believes he has plenty left to take Doncic where retired Mavs superstar Dirk Nowitzki finally went in the 13th of his 21 Dallas seasons, an NBA record for a career spent entirely in one city. That would be the top of the NBA mountain.

“At this point in my career, still can’t leave me open. I can guard, and I’m just excited,” said Thompson, a 41.3% 3-point shooter who is sixth all-time in made 3s. “I know I can help this team, whether it’s the knowledge I’ve gained, or big, big scoring nights. I just still know I can be a very, very good player in this league.”

Now, Thompson is paired with one of the NBA’s best young players.

SF Giants DFA Nick Ahmed; activate Blake Snell, 2 infielders from injured list

SAN FRANCISCO — He was signed late in spring. He did his job, to the degree the Giants could realistically expect. And, when their need for his services expired, they discarded Nick Ahmed, sending the veteran shortstop packing before Tuesday’s series opener against the Blue Jays.

Ahmed, 34, was designated for assignment in a series of roster moves that also activated another pair of infielders, Thairo Estrada and Wilmer Flores, from the injured list, along with Blake Snell, signaling their comfort moving forward with Brett Wisely and Tyler Fitzgerland splitting shortstop duties moving forward.

“We felt like with Fitzy, he’s here not really getting to play a whole lot, doesn’t know what his role is when he gets to play,” manager Bob Melvin said. “With younger players, that’s more difficult. And Wisely had played really well at shortstop too. So with Estrada coming back, a tough decision, but there’s a little bit more youth here now than a couple days ago.”

The Giants had one open spot on their active roster after trading Austin Slater to Cincinnati on Sunday and created another by optioning recent waiver claim Kolton Ingram, a 27-year-old left-hander, to Triple-A Sacramento.

Likewise, Melvin said, moving on from Slater was in order to give more opportunities to another young player, Luis Matos.

“We felt Luis should get some more reps, based on how he played earlier,” Melvin said. “And it’s tougher not knowing your role. Younger players need some more reps and at-bats. This is one way of doing it for him.”

Initially signed as an insurance plan to top prospect Marco Luciano at shortstop in spring training, Ahmed went on to win the Opening Day job and appeared in 52 games, maintaining his strong defensive reputation while providing some timely hits but holding a batting average of .232 and an OPS of .581.

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With Estrada out since June 28 with a sprained wrist, Wisely had handled duties at second base alongside Ahmed at short, but with Estrada returning his normal spot, the move allows the Giants to continue to give consistent playing time to Wisely, a 25-year-old left-handed hitter who can play three infield spots and has been a sensation at the plate, batting .278 with three home runs despite his diminutive 5-foot-9 frame.

Tyler Fitzgerald, a right-handed hitter, should also receive more opportunities against left-handed pitching, Melvin said.

“You don’t see as many lefties, so Wisely is going to get the most at-bats,” Melvin said. “Wisely has swung the bat pretty well against lefties, but I think both of them are going to get an opportunity to play and know where they’re going to play and prepare for that.”

At Triple-A, Luciano has been taking reps at second base and occasionally DHing while batting .230 with a .687 OPS.

With left-hander Yusei Kikuchi on the mound for Toronto, Flores slotted back into the starting lineup at first base. He went on the injured list the same day as Estrada, with right knee tendonitis.

Snell is set to make his first start since a groin strain sent him to the injured list for a second time this season.

Monterey man arrested after evading police three times

On July 3, Monterey police officers were conducting surveillance on Cielo Vista Drive to locate and apprehend Leslie Flores, 58. Flores had 14 active warrants at the time, four of which were felonies. Police were also aware that Flores was in possession of a firearm.

Once they confirmed Flores was inside his home, police set up a perimeter of officers around the house. Flores became aware of the police presence and ran out the back door.

A Monterey police officer confronted him, but Flores ran to the side of the house, climbed up a tree and entered his house through an open window.

The police requested mutual aid and activated the Monterey Peninsula Regional Special Response Unit, in addition to responses from the Seaside Police and Fire Drone Team, the California Highway Patrol and the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office K-9 units.

Over the next several hours, the special response unit used loudspeakers to talk to Flores and inform him that he was under arrest and to exit the residence. The special response unit’s Crisis Negotiations Team attempted to make contact with Flores using a variety of methods and were unsuccessful, according to police.

After several hours of not receiving a response, the special response unit breached the front door and the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Drone team used their indoor drones to help clear the residence. Flores was not located during the initial search.

Then, the special response unit began to clear each room. Officers knew there was a hiding area under the house, but couldn’t find him during their search.

One officer reported seeing what appeared to be a fresh handprint on the wall within the hiding area under the house. It appeared that a tunnel had been dug which led into an adjacent room. The entrance to the tunnel was covered and officers could not see what was on the other side.

The special response team used a chainsaw to cut through the floor in the adjacent room. After removing several floorboards, the team located Flores hiding in a 6-foot hole under the floorboards.

Flores was arrested at around 2:15 a.m. on July 4, after an eight-hour long incident.

He was transported to Monterey County Jail on his outstanding warrants, and additionally charged with obstructing a peace officer.

Over the last few months, Flores has evaded the Monterey Police on three different occasions.

On April 25, an officer recognized Flores in the 300 block of Larkin and attempted to stop his car. But Flores fled the traffic stop, with little regard for nearby pedestrians or cars, according to police.

On June 22, a Monterey police officer saw Flores in the 100 block of Cielo Vista. But when Flores saw the officer, he took off on foot into the Skyline Forest area. Officers attempted to find him, but were unsuccessful.

On June 27, police saw Flores in the area of Mar Vista Drive and Porta Vista Drive. They attempted to stop Flores’ car once again, but he drove off into traffic again, evading arrest.

USC President Carol Folt has her contract extended, despite a tumultuous spring

LOS ANGELES — After months of on-campus turmoil stemming from nationwide protests over the Israel-Hamas war and criticisms over her handling of commencement ceremonies, USC President Carol Folt will remain the university’s figurehead for the near future.

A spokesperson for the university told the Southern California News Group that Folt’s contract has been “amended and extended,” and the university’s Board of Trustees was “looking forward to her continued service.” The spokesperson declined to pinpoint the specific length of Folt’s extension.

After the Southern California News Group reported the news of Folt’s extension, the university issued a statement to the SCNG on Tuesday night with further details.

“President Folt’s contract remains in full force,” the statement read. “Like all university officers, the president is subject to annual review and reappointment, which occurred this last spring.”

“The Board remains pleased with the university’s strong direction under President Folt’s leadership.”

Folt has served as USC’s president since 2019, when she was hired in the midst of the university’s involvement in the nationwide “Varsity Blues” college admissions scandal. According to USC’s most recently available tax forms, Folt was the university’s second-highest-paid employee in 2022 – behind head football coach Lincoln Riley – at $4.6 million in total compensation. It’s unclear whether the statement’s declaration that her contract “remains in full force” ensures her salary will stay the same.

Folt’s contract was set to expire at the end of June, and student newspaper Annenberg Media reported Monday that she was remaining as president even after her contract had ended. Her contract had already been ratified, however, the spokesperson said, before her original five-year deal had terminated.

The spokesperson also told the SCNG that no other candidates, or external names, were interviewed by USC to replace Folt.

Under Folt’s tenure, USC has steadily grown admissions – with a record 82,000 students applying to become first-years in 2024 – and opened the university’s first new school in more than a decade, the School of Advanced Computing. But her five years at USC have been a mixed bag, as Folt successfully navigated the university through the wake of “Varsity Blues” and the COVID-19 pandemic, but has seen the last couple years of her tenure marred by scandal and campus unrest.

A few short months after her arrival in 2019, Folt orchestrated the hire of Mike Bohn as USC’s newest athletic director, coming from Cincinnati as just the second AD in the school’s history without a previous USC connection. The pair guided USC’s athletic department into a conference change that sent shockwaves throughout college sports, announcing in 2022 that USC – along with UCLA – would leave the Pac-12 and join the Big Ten, a move that promised greater national exposure and television revenue. A year later, however, Bohn abruptly resigned amid a Los Angeles Times investigation into alleged inappropriate conduct and mismanagement of the department, a scandal Folt has still never publicly addressed even with the August hire of widely-praised Jennifer Cohen from Washington.

In April, too, Folt’s handling of growing tensions made national news after USC didn’t allow its valedictorian, Asna Tabassum, to deliver a commencement speech after reports surfaced showing criticism of Zionism on her social media. Pro-Palestinian protests, and pro-Israel counterprotests, quickly spawned across USC’s campus, leading to a massive LAPD presence and 93 protestors being arrested on April 24. As universities across the country altered their graduation celebrations in the wake of widespread protest, USC canceled its traditional main-stage commencement ceremony at Alumni Park and pivoted to a large-scale family celebration at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which earned Folt praise from some and widespread criticism from others.

Now, Folt’s extension ensures she’ll continue to lead USC’s students into the fall after a rocky spring.

Partial closure of Torero Drive at Monterey-Salinas Highway begins Friday

SALINAS – A project developed by the Transportation Agency for Monterey County, as well as Monterey County, and residents of Serra Village and Toro Park, aims to help define a long-term solution to keep traffic from diverting off Monterey-Salinas Highway.

But in order to gather data on the road to a long-term solution, a partial closure of a street from Serra Village to Highway 68 begins this week and will end in the fall.

The Transportation Agency for Monterey County, Caltrans District 5 and the County of Monterey announced that a partial closure of Torero Drive, along Highway 68, will go into effect this Friday.

The “Toro Park Cut Through Traffic Pilot Project” closure will block southbound traffic on Torero Drive at the intersection of Bravo Court; thereby prohibiting vehicles from entering the highway from Torero Drive.

The partial road closure is a component of the “Toro Park Cut Through Traffic Pilot Project,” which will be in effect from July 12 through Oct. 1, according to TAMC. Fixed signs and changeable electronic messaging boards will be placed along Highway 68 and within Toro Park to inform motorists of the partial road closure.

“The pilot project is expected to be in place a week or two before school starts so that we can observe traffic and adjust accordingly,” said Doug Bilse, TAMC principal transportation engineer and project manager of the pilot project, in a press release. “We will be monitoring traffic throughout the pilot project phase and gathering feedback from community members. At that time, we will review traffic data and have permanent solutions to review.”

The “Toro Park Cut Through Traffic Pilot Project” is designed to re-route traffic that diverts from Reservation Road and Highway 68 into Serra Village and Toro Park during commute hours to avoid traffic congestion on Highway 68, according to TAMC. The project is also designed to address safety concerns and congestion in the residential Toro Park communities inundated with aggressive drivers who take Portola Drive as an alternate route and speed through a school zone to re-enter Highway 68 at Torero Drive.

The partial road closure will improve traffic flow and reduce the 20-minute queue many Salinas commuters experience each day, says TAMC. The transportation agencies are also working together to improve traffic signal operations, which will make the traffic flow better than it currently is. Based upon travel time studies conducted by TAMC, Toro Park residents might experience an increase for the off-peak trip to the peninsula that should take an extra 3-4 minutes, while a peak hour trip might add 7-8 minutes.

“We realize this hardship is needed to address safety concerns and are trying to identify a long-term solution that will reduce or eliminate this added travel time,” said Bilse.

The Toro Park Cut Through Pilot Traffic Project is a Measure X funded project. Measure X is the 2016 ballot measure approved by 67.7% of Monterey County voters to generate an estimated $20 million annually for a total of $600 million over thirty years through a retail transactions and use tax of a three-eighths’ of 1%. The revenue from the sales tax measure is used to fund transportation safety and mobility projects in Monterey County.

For more information about the Toro Park Cut Through Traffic Pilot Project, contact Doug Bilse, TAMC engineer and project manager, at 831-775-4413 or at doug@tamcmonterey.org. The public can also visit the TAMC website at www.tamcmonterey.org.

Monterey County schools respond to fentanyl report

SALINAS – Following the release of a civil grand jury report earlier this year that was critical of county governments’ response to the fentanyl crisis, the county Office of Education is pledging to increase efforts to ensure school districts do as much as possible to educate and curb an epidemic that is continuing to kill people, including kids.

The Monterey County Civil Grand Jury report, titled “Fentanyl: Our Youth in Crisis,” cited opportunities for the Monterey County Office of Education to provide outreach efforts to students and parents. The grand jury also voiced concerns about the Office of Education’s efforts to provide fentanyl education beyond what is required in the state Education Codes.

The jury specifically referenced state Senate Bill 10, which mandates that every public school in California provide training to school employees on opioid prevention and life-saving response under a formal plan known as a Comprehensive School Safety Plan. Additionally, the bill ensures that all students and adults understand the growing risk of youth fentanyl exposure and have access to the resources needed to prevent and respond to fentanyl overdoses.

Often overdose victims are unaware they are consuming fentanyl because the drugs the they think they are ingesting, sniffing or smoking is laced with fentanyl. Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid drug used in hospitals for pain relief. It is roughly 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

With regard to SB 10, Superintendent of Schools Deneen Guss, in her response to the civil grand jury, wrote that the office of education is committed to assisting districts in developing plans to create on-campus “wellness spaces” with appropriate staff to support students with mental health and drug awareness.

Guss said county schools will target Nov. 30 to establish training series to develop wellness spaces.

“We will invite schools that already have wellness spaces operating to share how they created their wellness spaces and how they have staffed these spaces, among other strategies,” Guss wrote in her response.

The jury also recommended that county schools partner with organizations like Montage Health Prescribe Safe, which itself has partnered with 35 local business and agencies since 2014 to address opioid addiction, according to its website. By 2018 Monterey County had the second-lowest opioid death rate in California.

But in the past several years, counterfeit medications have entered the market, many with a toxic or lethal dose of fentanyl, causing a staggering increase in opioid-related overdoses and deaths in the county, according to Prescribe Safe.

The data can be alarming. More than four in 10 Americans know someone who died from a drug overdose, according to a Rand Survey released earlier this year. In 2022, drug overdoses were the primary cause of death for both men and women between the ages of 25 and 54 in California. For young adults between the ages of 15 and 24, overdoses were the second leading cause of death.

Prescribe Safe has been instrumental in dispersing easy-to-use Naloxone, also known by its brand name Narcan, which can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose if it is administered in time to counter symptoms such as respiratory depression that can turn fatal.

On Tuesday, the Office of Education confirmed that it has formalized a non-binding agreement with Prescribe Safe to collaborate on ways that can help stem overdose deaths.

In an earlier statement sent to the Monterey Herald, Guss said that while fentanyl has been present in the community for years, “there has definitely been a notable surge with the rise of mental health challenges we are seeing in our schools and communities. Overall, the fentanyl crisis is a complex and urgent issue, and we need to engage our entire community in helping to address this devastating crisis.”

Horoscopes July 9, 2024: Tom Hanks, be a leader

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Fred Savage, 48; Jack White, 49; Tom Hanks, 68; Jimmy Smits, 69.

Happy Birthday: Staying calm is the ticket to positive change. Refuse to let the drama happening around you take over. You owe it to yourself and the ones you love to be a take-charge person who stands up for what’s right. Be original, humble and thrifty; everything else will fall into place. Put logic and reason first; be a leader, not a follower, and you’ll make progress. Your numbers are 4, 10, 21, 29, 33, 38, 42.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Physical activity will jump-start your day by easing stress and encouraging you to turn whatever task you take on into a memorable encounter. Be original when faced with challenges, and you’ll find a way to overcome any obstacle. Have fun and explore the possibilities. 5 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Avoid conversations with negative people or bullies. Focus on what you want to achieve. Do things your way and take responsibility. A personal change will turn out better than anticipated. If you’re going to get ahead, talk less and do more. 2 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Expand your interests and participate in events that offer hope. Pay attention to how you present yourself, and you’ll get the opportunity to take on a leadership position. However, take on only what you can handle. Leave yourself ample time to complete domestic responsibilities. 4 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You may crave change, but set a budget before you begin. Don’t let anyone talk you into something you don’t need or can’t do yourself. Use your skills and choose your path wisely. When uncertainty plays a role, take a break and rethink your strategy. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Think big but start small. Putting a long-term plan in place will give you the wiggle room to reach your target while maintaining your budget. Give yourself a break to regenerate and grow. Let your intuition take over. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Consider your next move. Spontaneity will meet with opposition; review information, do more research and regroup. Emotions will surface if you engage in a heated conversation with someone who doesn’t share your beliefs. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Pay attention and put your energy into something mentally and emotionally enriching. Refuse to let physical or professional setbacks drag you down. Turn things around with a positive attitude and a desire to learn something new, and proceed in a direction that excites you. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Proceed with caution. You may crave change, but consider the cost before participating in a venture. Financial or legal partnerships require more thought, patience and intuition to avoid loss or disappointment. Focus on personal gain and growth. 4 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Keep an open mind, closed wallet and tabs on what’s possible. Use intelligence to sort through matters, and do your best to approach each situation with a positive attitude. Arguing will set you back. Protect your reputation and cash by keeping your thoughts and intentions to yourself. 2 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Change what’s necessary. Additional expenses will lead to emotional stress and uncertainty. Pay attention to where your money goes and to worthwhile investments. A partnership can save you time and money and stabilize your life if you compromise. Romance is on the rise. 5 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Share your feelings and intentions. Don’t let anger set in when patience is necessary to resolve issues between you and what you want to pursue. Adjust your surroundings to accommodate your plans, and you’ll find the road to happiness you seek. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Consider what’s necessary and let go of what isn’t. Balance, integrity and fair play will help you avoid the pitfalls of overindulgence and making promises you cannot keep. Look inward and offer your best to those you love by taking better care of yourself. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are energetic, trendsetting and persuasive. You are persistent and open-minded.

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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Bill Clinton, Barry Bonds grace Oracle Park with speeches at SF Giants’ intimate Willie Mays celebration of life

SAN FRANCISCO — If the shower of flowers at the foot of his statue, or last week’s pregame tribute in front of 40,000 fans, served as a chance for the Giants fan base to pay public respects to their beloved Willie Mays, then the affairs on a cloudless Monday evening at Oracle Park took on the feeling of an intimate celebration of the late, great ballplayer’s closest friends.

In a testament of Mays’ stature, it was no ordinary lineup of speakers who took their turns at the dais in front of the pitcher’s mound, flanked by two bushels of orange roses, or via video messages on the scoreboard.

Baseball’s all-time home-run king, his godson.

One President of United States, Bill Clinton, in the first row, and another, Barack Obama, on the scoreboard.

A half-dozen fellow members of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

With Jon Miller as the master of ceremonies narrating a tour of his exploits, from the Birmingham Barons to his final games with the Giants two-and-a-half decades later, the greats on stage shared a sentiment that spoke even more of Mays, who died last month at the age of 93.

Former San Francisco Giant’s Felipe Alou speaks during a public celebration of life for former San Francisco Giants player Willie Mays at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, July 8, 2024. To the left are former San Francisco Giant’s Juan Marichal, Joe Amalfitano and Dusty Baker, and to the right is host and Hall of Fame broadcaster Jon Miller. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

The gates of 24 Willie Mays Plaza were wide open for anyone to attend, and approximately 4,500 took the opportunity to remember Mays for more than two hours with  his son, Michael Mays, Baker, Barry Bonds, Joe Torre, commissioner Rob Manfred, Juan Marichal, Felipe Alou, Joe Amalfitano and many more.

Pointing to the sky after delivering his first public remarks in the wake of his god father’s death, Bonds echoed his reaction when his father, Bobby, died in 2003.

“Thank you,” Bonds said, clasping his fist in the air. “Thank you. Fifty five years ago, you put your arm around a 5-year-old boy and said, ‘Hey kid, you’re coming with me.’ I knew at that moment what I wanted to be, and that was a professional baseball player like my father and Willie.”

Speaking for approximately five minutes, Bonds said Mays adopted him “like a second son” but that “talking about one without the other seems kind of strange to me because I couldn’t have learned everything about the game of baseball without my father and Willie.”

Bonds remarks preceded those from Mays’ son, Michael, and followed a recorded message from the 44th president of the United States, who focused on the impact the ballplayer had on the civil rights movement. In 2015, Obama presented Mays the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor a civilian can receive.

“A strong argument can be made that he is the greatest baseball player to have ever lived, but Willie Mays’ impact on our culture goes far beyond statistics,” Obama said. “As one of the major leagues’ first Black players, Willie’s excellence and the sheer beauty of his game … ended up bridging our nation’s racial divide. Black or white, you could appreciate Mays’ unbridled enthusiasm, his work ethic, his inherent dignity and graciousness.

“Alongside other (greats) like Jackie Robison and Hank Aaron, Willie’s popularity would change attitudes that political speeches alone never could.”

Michael Mays, son of former San Francisco Giants player Willie Mays, becomes emotional while speaking during a public celebration of life for him at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, July 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

It all started when the Giants moved to San Francisco in 1958 and Mays was tasked with finding a place to live. Initially denied his residence of choice because of the color of his skin, Mays “changed the housing laws in San Francisco and eventually California,” former Mayor Willie Brown said. “All because Willie Mays said fair housing is equal.”

Once he got settled, Mays delighted a nascent fanbase in San Francisco, which didn’t have major-league baseball until the Giants moved west — with their young new sensation in tow — in 1958.

“None of us liked baseball until Willie Mays came along,” joked Brown, one of four former or current mayors in attendance, who developed a friendship through Mays’ continuous civic involvement.

The remarks delivered by the pair of former presidents came as a surprise, with neither listed on the program of speakers. But sitting next to Brown in the first row on the first base line, Miller introduced “the 42nd President of the United States and a friend of Willie Mays,” who was greeted by one of the largest cheers of the evening.

“He gave me a chance to realize what real greatness is — a curious combination of intelligence, dedication, a will to win and a fundamental humility,” said Clinton, who shared the story of his first time meeting Mays, asking him questions for three hours “like a kid in a candy store” when the game in 2000 he was supposed to attend was rained out, and later developed a friendship on the golf course.

Former President Bill Clinton speaks during a public celebration of life for former San Francisco Giants player Willie Mays at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, July 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

“I loved playing golf with him, but I was appalled the first time we played,” Clinton said. “He had these old clubs and I swear he had masking tape on them. I said let me give you a set of golf clubs, and he said no. … He beat me anyway.”

The golf course is also where Mays made his biggest impact on his godson.

“Most of the time it was Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the golf course,” Bonds said. “Willie and my dad would play golf and reminisce about the old days. That’s when you got real talk with real knowledge of the game. Willie and my father would tell me stories about each at bat, who they faced, how they approached it. They even went back to the days (of segregation) when they had to do in the backdoor of the restaurant just to get some food.”

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Mays was always willing to help, as represented by the audience seated in black folding chairs encircling home plate. There were dozens of former Giants whom Mays touched as a frequent and available guest in the home clubhouse and a helping of Willie Mays scholars, whom he provided scholarships to continue their education.

“Willie Mays was the greatest player,” Baker said. “The the thing I loved about Willie was, just like they said, he’d always ask you, ‘What do you need?’”

And then the 4,500 or so fans in the stands behind them, whose lives Mays touched without even knowing it.

Malcolm Heinicke, the lawyer in charge of Mays’ “Say Hey” Foundation, incorporated them into the ceremony, too, leading a spirited call and response of three “Say Hey” chants, “to send some joy right up through this clear sky, before the seagulls get here, right to Willie.”

“Thank you Willie Mays,” Manfred concluded his comments, “for all your contributions, you were a true Giant of baseball.”

Former San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds, godson of former San Francisco Giants player Willie Mays, speaks during a public celebration of life for him at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, July 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Fans gather around his statue during a public celebration of life for former San Francisco Giants player Willie Mays at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, July 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Attendees gather on the field during a public celebration of life for former San Francisco Giants player Willie Mays at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, July 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Fans attend a public celebration of life for former San Francisco Giants player Willie Mays at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, July 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

An American flag is folded to be presented to Michael Mays, son of former San Francisco Giants player Willie Mays, during a public celebration of life at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, July 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

A fan salutes as an American flag is folded during a public celebration of life for former San Francisco Giants player Willie Mays at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, July 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Michael Mays, son of Willie Mays, receives a hug during a public celebration of life for former San Francisco Giants player Willie Mays at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, July 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Former President Bill Clinton attends a public celebration of life for former San Francisco Giants player Willie Mays at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, July 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Former San Francisco Giants Felipe Alou takes the stage to speak during a public celebration of life for former San Francisco Giants player Willie Mays at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, July 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Michael Mays, son of former San Francisco Giants player Willie Mays, becomes emotional while speaking during a public celebration of life for him at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, July 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Fans attend a public celebration of life for former San Francisco Giants player Willie Mays at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, July 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

An American flag is presented to Michael Mays, son of former San Francisco Giants player Willie Mays, during a public celebration of life at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, July 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Former San Francisco Giant’s Felipe Alou, Juan Marichal and Dusty Baker leave the stage after speaking during a public celebration of life for former San Francisco Giants player Willie Mays at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, July 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Former San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds, godson of former San Francisco Giants player Willie Mays, left, listens to speakers during a public celebration of life for him at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, July 8, 2024. To the left is Mays’ son Michael Mays. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Former President Bill Clinton speaks during a public celebration of life for former San Francisco Giants player Willie Mays at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, July 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Michael Mays, son of former San Francisco Giants player Willie Mays, left, applauds during a public celebration of life for him at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, July 8, 2024. To the right is former San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds, Mays’ godson. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Former San Francisco Giant’s Felipe Alou speaks during a public celebration of life for former San Francisco Giants player Willie Mays at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, July 8, 2024. To the left are former San Francisco Giant’s Juan Marichal, Joe Amalfitano and Dusty Baker. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Fans attend a public celebration of life for former San Francisco Giants player Willie Mays at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, July 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Singer Andra Day performs during a public celebration of life for former San Francisco Giants player Willie Mays at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, July 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Fans attend a public celebration of life for former San Francisco Giants player Willie Mays at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, July 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Former San Francisco Giant’s Juan Marichal speaks during a public celebration of life for former San Francisco Giants player Willie Mays at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, July 8, 2024. To the left are former San Francisco Giant’s Joe Amalfitano, Felipe Alou and Dusty Baker. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Former San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds, godson of former San Francisco Giants player Willie Mays, talks with Willie’s son Michael Mays during a public celebration of life for him at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, July 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Former President Bill Clinton greets local politicians after speaking during a public celebration of life for former San Francisco Giants player Willie Mays at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, July 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Former San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds, godson of former San Francisco Giants player Willie Mays, hugs May’s son Michael Mays during a public celebration of life for him at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, July 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

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Holiday weekend, inland heat draws throngs of visitors to Monterey region

MONTEREY – A hot July Fourth holiday weekend brought throngs of people to the Monterey Peninsula region this past weekend with many seeking relief from extreme temperatures inland.

“It’s been a terrific kick-off for July starting with the Fourth being on a Thursday,” said See Monterey President and CEO Rob O’Keefe. “This made for a very extended weekend. The heat wave across the state and country was an added incentive to visit the moderate temperatures, refreshing waters and blue skies of the Monterey coast.”

The comparatively cooler temperatures of the Monterey Bay region, which were in the 60s and 70s, contrasted with temperatures up and down the San Joaquin Valley where they soared into the triple digits.

“A survey of a number of hotels throughout the county found many were near or at sell-out conditions,” said O’Keefe. “And estimates of visitors to popular areas like Cannery Row, Old Fisherman’s Wharf and downtown Monterey were all up by around 50% over last year.”

Many hotels noted an uptick in last-minute bookings leading up to the holiday, said O’Keefe, suggesting people were persuaded to beat the heat and make last-minute plans.

“It was busy … the roadways and beaches were very crowded,” said James Nothhelfer, public safety superintendent for California State Parks, Monterey District. “Everyone was trying to beat the heat during the four-day weekend.”

Nothhelfer said that with the significant increase in the use of parks over the weekend, such as at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, Monastery Beach, Carmel River State Beach, Asilomar State Beach, Monterey State Beach and Marina State Beach, parking lots were at capacity with many overflowing.

“We did get calls for parking issues but other than that it was pretty quiet,” said Nothhelfer, who added there were some with illegal fireworks who found themselves receiving citations or having their contraband confiscated.

With visitors to the Monterey Bay region taking to the roads to have a cooler Independence Day, many took to the skies to get to the destination.

“Our passenger traffic over the weekend was strong, although only slightly stronger than any other weekend,” said Monterey Regional Airport Executive Director Mike La Pier. “According to TSA (Transportation Security Administration), we saw between 4,000 and 4,500 people board our partner airlines from Thursday through Monday. That equates to an over 85% load factor.”

With folks coming from near and far to experience what the Monterey Bay region has to offer, public safety had its work cut out for them.

“The weekend was extremely busy, but the surge of people in the city did not raise the crime level,” reported Monterey Police Lieutenant Gabriel Kaster. “The traffic in and out of town was very heavy all weekend and there were a lot of people in town.”

The Monterey Police Department had the average number of arrests and citations, said Kaster who added that there were about nine arrests and more than 20 traffic citations written.

The majority of the arrests were for public intoxication, DUI, and disturbing the peace, which is pretty typical for a summer weekend, he said.

O’Keefe said that last week was a strong start to a very busy July in Monterey County.

“Balance is key in the tourism economy,” he said. “We work with partners to bring balance to the tourism mix so as the Fourth of July weekend ended, the Organic Produce Summit begins this week. This is a major conference at the Monterey Conference Center that will bring 1,600 visitors to town. After the conference, attendees tend to stay another few days to enjoy all parts of our county.”

Later in the month the International Fresh Produce Association will bring another group of 3,000 to town, said O’Keefe who pointed out that the conference begins in the middle of the week and butts up to a weekend – again, bringing in conference travelers who turn into leisure travelers and stay over the weekend.

Business travelers and conference goers are key to See Monterey’s overall strategy for bringing in highly valuable visitation, said O’Keefe, as they typically come mid-week, spend more than leisure travelers.

They also tend to have a lighter impact on the community, flying into the Monterey Regional Airport or other airports, or they drive in and mostly keep their cars parked which alleviates traffic issues.

“We have seen passenger traffic grow at a rate of about 15% year over year since January,” said La Pier. “We saw nearly 30,000 passengers board aircraft in the month of June. The first half of the year has been very strong.”