Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 433

Kurtenbach: Klay Thompson is gone and the Warriors’ situation has gone from bad to worse

Klay Thompson didn’t care about his legacy when he left the Warriors on Monday, signing a three-year, $50 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks via a forced sign-and-trade.

So why should we spend this strange, end-of-an-era moment waxing poetic about the past and all the good times Thompson provided in the Bay?

Save that stuff for the jersey retirement ceremony. No, I, like Thompson, will take this moment to look into the future.

Though I imagine the four-time champion took one last look back at the flaming wreckage he helped create in San Francisco.

It wasn’t that long ago when the “lightyears ahead” Warriors wanted to be the next iteration of Spurs — good for two-plus decades. To do that, they’d have “two timelines” that would allow them to win now and win later.

That plan never panned out.

And now they’re left with no timelines.

No matter what you thought about Thompson’s efficacy last season, the Warriors letting him walk out the door for only a traded player exception (worth roughly $16 million) and two second-round draft picks is roster malpractice.

Mike Dunleavy Jr. was hired as the Warriors’ general manager on June 16, 2023. That was nearly a year to the day the Warriors won the 2022 NBA title.

Dunleavy inherited some problems, no doubt, but in the 382 days since he took over, he turned Thompson, Jordan Poole, and a first-round pick into nothing more than a steaming pile of funny money.

In short, he has ensured the Warriors won’t win another title with Steph Curry leading the way.

Is it all Dunleavy’s fault? Hardly. The inscrutable Thompson turned down a fair contract extension offer from the Warriors before the start of last season, opting instead to bet on himself.

Thompson lost that bet — his new deal is an annual pay cut of nearly $10 million from the Warriors’ extension offer. But instead of admitting that, he opted to pretend he won.

But Dunleavy hasn’t shown the negotiating chops or the roster-building creativity this precarious moment has demanded.

Instead, he helped drive the team off the cliff. In a job that demanded the stacking of wins, even small ones, amid roster arbitrage, Dunleavy came up woefully short move after move.

Coming into this offseason, the writing was on the wall: someone was going. The NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement made the Warriors’ previous spending habits far too onerous to maintain.

For Dunleavy, the choice was simple: can lose Thompson or you can waive Paul.

As disappointing as both of them were last season, the Warriors couldn’t lose both for nothing and maintain whatever competitiveness they had.

And yet that’s exactly what happened.

So I hope everyone enjoyed last season’s 46 wins and embarrassing play-in tournament exit to the Kings — that’s likely as good as things will be for a while yet.

The Warriors’ current roster leaves the team in basketball purgatory for at least the next season, if not longer.

This team is not good enough to make the final two seasons of Curry’s contract anything close to title-worthy. It also lacks a clear route to reasonably improve.

This point was made even more clear by the fact that the Warriors have already agreed to use one of the team’s few mechanisms for improvement, the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, on former 76er and Grizzly De’Anthony Melton.

The guard is a solid defensive option, averaging three deflections a game last season. He can shoot the 3-pointer, too. But he’s coming off a spinal injury that forced him to miss more than half of last season and he was one of the NBA’s worst shooters inside the 3-point arc (42.5 percent on 2s, sixth-worst in the league.)

A nice player, but hardly a difference-maker.

And that’s what the Warriors were able to hit with their heavy artillery.

The trade exception from the Thompson transaction can only be used to acquire someone on a salary dump — someone who makes up to or less than $16 million. There are a few options, but not one of them changes the calculus for Golden State.

Then there’s a $4.7 million bi-annual exception. That could bring in a player for something a bit more than the league’s veteran minimum.

How does any of this replace Thompson’s 18 points per game and 38.7 percent 3-point shooting?

It barely covers the 9 points and 7 assists per game Paul averaged last season.

The situation is dire.

But hey, maybe this team can trade Andrew Wiggins!

(Update: no one wants to trade anything worthwhile for Wiggins )

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Of course, Warriors fans see this disaster and are already calling for the Warriors to cash in all their upcoming draft picks to trade for another “star” player with the goal of maximizing the next two years for Curry.

Frankly, that’s the last thing the Warriors should do now.

The Warriors are trending down — that’s been the case since the title in 2022 — but unless Jonathan Kuminga turns into an All-Star player (I’m not holding my breath), a full-on bottoming out seems inevitable once Curry’s contract expires at the end of the 2025-26 season.

When that time comes, boy, you are going to want those draft picks. They’re the only route back to winning.

And seeing as it cost six first-round picks (in effect) for the Knicks to trade for Mikal Bridges (a wonderful player who, it should be noted has never been to an All-Star Game), going “all-in” for the next two years would be equivalent paying off the high-interest-rate mortgage with a credit card.

Yes, bad became worse in the course of a few days.

It’s going to be difficult for anyone — much less Dunleavy, who has shown no acuity for the role he’s in — to pull the Dubs out of this hole.

And while Warriors CEO Joe Lacob’s checkbook won’t be as pressed in the upcoming season, his team will be hard-pressed to even match last season’s disappointment in an ever-improving Western Conference.

I’ve long wondered if you could put a price on respectability.

With the Warriors, we found out the answer this summer.

Pacific Grove council to consider ballot measure reducing number of councilmembers

The Pacific Grove City Council will meet Wednesday, voting on whether to approve a ballot measure that would reduce the number of council seats from six to four.

If approved, the ballot measure would be on the November election ballot and be implemented in November 2026. Approving the measure would also be the first step in the council deciding whether to move to a by-district voting system.

Currently in Pacific Grove, the at-large voting system means everyone can vote for all the council member seats whenever an election happens. A by-district system, would separate the city into districts and voters would select from candidates running for a single seat. Monterey, Salinas, Marina, Greenfield and King City are county cities that currently have district elections.

During council discussion in March, several council members and Pacific Grove residents spoke out against having a by-district system with a mayor and six council members. Pacific Grove only has about 15,000 residents and there were concerns that the city is too small to be separated into so many districts.

Lowering the number of council members would allow the council to vote on the by-district system with fewer districts and would allow the council to be more in line with other California city councils, which consist of four council seats and a mayor.

The topic of having fewer council seats stems from a letter sent to the council from The League of United Latin American Citizens back in August 2022, requesting the city change its at-large voting system to a by-district voting system for city elections in order to be in line with the California Voting Rights Act. If the city fails to take action, the citizens group threatened to take legal action and seek judicial assistance “to enforce our remedies at law,” the letter read.

Additionally, if the city chooses to keep its at-large election system and defend itself against a threatened lawsuit, it could cost several million dollars in attorney’s fees and court costs.

According to city attorney Brian Pierik, no jurisdiction has ever won a California Voting Rights Act-based lawsuit. Pacific Grove voters also had the opportunity to vote for fewer council seats before in 2022, but the measure lost by 13 votes.

During Wednesday’s meeting, the council will host a public hearing on a lease agreement for the site of the former Lovers Point Grill, which has been closed since March. The council will vote on a five-year lease between the city and Sunset Hospitality Group, which currently operates Stokes Adobe in Monterey.

If approved, the new establishment is proposed to be called Lover’s Point Snack Bar, featuring burgers and chicken sandwiches, sides like fries, pretzels and clam chowder, beverages and desserts. It would be a walk-up ordering and take-out service only.

The proposed timeline is to have the lease agreement start on Aug. 19.

Another public hearing is scheduled about the collection of annual sewer fees, but the city staff is going to recommend that the council continue the discussion to another date.

For the last year, Monterey One Water has been preparing cities for its decision to change its billing from a bi-monthly fee to an annual fee. This was proposed to be a cost-saving measure for Monterey One Water, by collecting fees through county property taxes. However, during the last Monterey One Water board of directors meeting, the board failed to meet the voting requirements to move forward with the decision.

This has led several cities to halt approving any changes including Seaside, Salinas and Monterey.

The city council meeting will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Pacific Grove City Hall, 300 Forest Ave. and can be watched online via Zoom at https://www.cityofpacificgrove.org/Zo....

Graniterock to start construction of FORTAG through Del Rey Oaks this month

DEL REY OAKS – At the end of May, the phase 1 segment of the Fort Ord Regional Trail and Greenway project through Del Rey Oaks and Seaside, broke ground and in July work will begin in earnest on the project that will ultimately be a roughly 30-mile continuous paved trail connecting cities and unincorporated communities to educational and recreational areas.

In late March, the Transportation Agency for Monterey County selected Graniterock, the Watsonville-based construction materials and contracting company, to construct the first segment of the FORTAG project through Del Rey Oaks. TAMC is the lead agency on the project that will see 1.5 miles of trail constructed along the Highway 218 – Canyon Del Rey corridor.

Del Rey Oaks Mayor Scott Donaldson said Graniterock has decided to begin the project at the site of the new underpass at Highway 218 which will link the 17-acre Frog Pond Wetland Preserve to Del Rey Park and the rest of the Del Rey Oaks FORTAG path to Laguna Grande Park in Seaside.

“It will be a challenging time for the city. In addition to FORTAG, we will have other projects happening in the city so coordination will be important to minimize disruption in the community,” said Donaldson. “We have a long way to go, and it will be an exciting day when the project is completed. In the meantime, my focus is maintaining good communication with our partners and keeping residents informed.”

Final utility relocation work is being completed at the underpass site and Graniterock is expected to begin staging equipment and vehicles in the beginning of July in the Del Rey Oaks Public Works yard and the open space between the Garden Center and the back of the Safeway store where the old driving range once operated.

Donaldson said that people can expect one-lane traffic across from the Frog Pond to exist for several months.

In the end, the FORTAG path through Del Rey Oaks will offer access and connectivity to the outdoor spaces in the region and provide a safe crossing of Highway 218.

Donaldson said he recognized the benefits of the project but has always been aware of the concerns expressed by a large number of residents.

“Construction updates will be posted on the city website, and I encourage everyone to check the site often for the latest information,” he said.

At the Transportation Agency for Monterey County Board meeting on March 27, the board approved the project plans and authorized TAMC Executive Director Todd Muck to execute a contract with Graniterock Company in an amount not to exceed $17,994,608, with an anticipated completion date of May 2026, for construction of the Canyon Del Rey segment of the Fort Ord Regional Trail and Greenway project, according to TAMC documents.

The Transportation Agency board approved the use of State and Measure X funds budgeted for the project in the not-to-exceed amount of $17.9 million and a $2.7 million contingency fund for unforeseen circumstances. It also authorized the executive director to take such other future actions as may be necessary to fulfill the intent of the contract, including approvals of future modifications or amendments that do not significantly alter the scope of work, or change the approved contract amount or term.

Funding sources include a State Active Transportation Program grant of $9,181,000, and $11,513,608 from Measure X, the vehicle created to fund transportation safety and mobility projects in Monterey County that was approved by 67.7% of voters in November 2016.

The work in general comprises construction of the trail through Del Rey Oaks from Fremont Boulevard to Del Rey Woods Elementary School in Seaside, according to TAMC, including the underpass at Canyon Del Rey Boulevard that will be a 12-foot wide raised pathway constructed to connect trail users to Carlton Drive at an accessible grade. Along Carlton Drive, the trail will consist of a new 12-foot wide multi-use sidewalk with a 5-foot wide buffer on the west side of the road and will continue along the south side of Plumas Avenue to Del Rey Woods Elementary School.

For construction updates, go to www.delreyoaks.org.

Klay Thompson’s five most memorable moments with the Warriors

Klay Thompson is leaving the Bay Area.

The veteran shooting guard has agreed to sign with the Dallas Mavericks for three years and $50 million, according to multiple reports. It marks the first time in 13 years that Thompson will play for a team other than the Golden State Warriors, who drafted him No. 11 overall in 2011.

One half of the Splash Brothers with Stephen Curry, Thompson’s elite marksmanship and defense were key components of the Warriors’ four NBA championships. He overcame ACL and Achilles injuries in consecutive years to return Golden State to glory with the fourth championship in 2022.

Beyond his on-court excellence, Thompson became a fan favorite for his eccentric personality and beloved bulldog Rocco. His boat excursions became legendary, as he commuted across the Bay to the Warriors’ home games at Chase Center while live streaming on Instagram.

He is also believed to be the only player in NBA history to autograph a toaster.

.@warriors are 11-0 since Klay Thompson signed this dude's toaster.
 https://t.co/Dv28nkb4In pic.twitter.com/6IHsbeUmUb

— Sam Laird (@samcmlaird) April 3, 2017

With Thompson headed to Texas, here are his most memorable moments in a Golden State uniform:

Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson (11) gestures after scoring a three-point basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the fourth quarter of Game 6 of the NBA Western Conference finals at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Okla., on Saturday, May 28, 2016. Golden State defeated Oklahoma City 108-101. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)Game 6 in Oklahoma City

With the Warriors facing elimination against the Thunder in the 2016 Western Conference Finals, Thompson stamped his legacy as “Game 6 Klay.”

He drained a then-playoff record 11 3-pointers, including several key shots down the stretch, as Golden State came from behind to win 108-101 and force a seventh game.

Thompson finished with 41 points, and the Warriors ultimately won the series.

Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson (11) shoots and makes a 3-point basket past Indiana Pacers’ Monta Ellis (11) during the second quarter of their NBA game at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif. on Monday, Dec. 5, 2016. Thompson scored 40 points in the first half. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)60 points on 11 dribbles

Thompson was renowned for his ability to score without excessive ball handling. On Dec. 5, 2016 against the Indiana Pacers, he took it to another level.

Dribbling the ball just 11 times, Thompson scored a career-high 60 points in 29 minutes of court time. He did not play in the fourth quarter, finishing with a 21-of-33 shooting line and eight made 3-pointers.

The Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson (11) reacts while setting an NBA record for points in a quarter against the Sacramento Kings in the third quarter of their NBA game at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 23, 2015. (Dan Honda/Bay Area News Group)A 37-point quarter

Thompson’s most prolific shooting display crafted an NBA record that still stands today.

Against the Sacramento Kings on Jan. 23, 2015, at Oracle Arena, Thompson scored 37 points in the third quarter. He was a perfect 13 for 13 from the field and finished 9 of 9 from 3-point range.

For good measure, he went 2 of 2 from the free-throw line as well.

Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson grimaces in pain after tearing the ACL in his left knee in the third quarter of Game 6 of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 13, 2019. Thompson missed the 2019-20 season. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Staff Archives)ACL tear against Toronto

The most trying tenure of Thompson’s Warriors career commenced on June 13, 2019.

In the third quarter of Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors, Thompson tore his left ACL after being fouled on a layup attempt. He headed into the tunnel to be examined by the Warriors’ medical staff but then dramatically returned to the court, where he shot and made both free throws.

Though he ran back on defense immediately thereafter, the Warriors intentionally fouled and Thompson was removed from the game before the Raptors could advance the ball.

Despite leaving the game with 2:20 remaining in the third quarter, Thompson finished as Golden State’s leading scorer with 30 points.

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Thompson missed the Warriors’ next 177 games. After rehabbing his ACL injury, he tore his right Achilles tendon during a workout in November 2020.

Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson (11) celebrates his dunk against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Comeback in 2022

After 941 days of excruciating recovery, Thompson returned to the Warriors on Jan. 9, 2022.

In his first game at Chase Center, the five-time All-Star scored 17 points in a 96-82 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. His reemergence was punctuated by a highlight dunk in the second quarter.

Thompson completed his comeback as a key contributor to Golden State’s 2022 championship team.

10 theme brunches in Las Vegas you need to try

Christopher Lawrence | (TNS) Las Vegas Review-Journal

LAS VEGAS — A good brunch is a magical thing.

Jams and pastries alongside big slabs of meat. An assortment of other foods that should have no business being served together, yet somehow work. All of it accompanied by a cocktail — or, as is becoming the case, an unlimited supply of them — as you linger over it with a group of friends.

If done correctly, brunch almost feels like you’re getting away with something.

“Brunch is absolutely having a moment,” says Jessica Somple, vice president of food and beverage for The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. “I also feel like it’s continued to evolve a bit. I think what we thought of as brunch has just continued to change, and it’s become so much more of a true social occasion.”

With that evolution has come the theme brunch, which in Las Vegas celebrates everything from drag to butterflies to circus sideshows.

The latest of these, the Riviera-inspired brunch experience at LPM at The Cosmopolitan, opened over Memorial Day weekend and is available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. It’s just the third brunch, following those in Hong Kong and Miami, for LPM, which focuses on international moneyed hot spots, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Mykonos.

“I think that people are excited to participate in something that really gives them a sense of place and feeling like the location has an identity, the experience has an identity,” Somple says. “(At LPM) You’ve got this bright, vibrant artwork. You have these breezy drapes leading out onto a terrace that’s full of lush plants and more artwork and murals. So it does feel like you’re somewhere on the Mediterranean coast, just taking that all in.”

The brunch’s live music component, often a DJ spinning up-tempo bossa nova, plays into that feeling of being transported to the Riviera.

As for the food, a la carte options are available, but the highlight is the Brunch Affair shared table experience. The 10-course extravaganza offers fresh breads and pastries, avocado toast, salmon carpaccio, scrambled eggs, lobster eggs Benedict, roasted pee-wee potatoes, Provençal ratatouille tart, charcoal-grilled ribeye steak, mushroom risotto and French toast. It’s $85 per person, with endless rosé and Champagne starting at an additional $75.

“I think there’s an absolute affection for sharing for the table,” Somple says. “When you basically give a guest the opportunity to let you take the wheel and just fire those courses and bring them out, they can really focus on being present with the people that they’re there to share the experience with.”

Here’s a look at nine other theme brunches around the valley:

‘Brunch of Broken Dreams’

Hard Rock Cafe, 3771 Las Vegas Blvd. South

Singers, dancers and acrobats perform in an hourlong show that pays tribute to ’90s- and Y2K-era grunge and emo, with music from the likes of Green Day, Blink-182, My Chemical Romance and The Offspring. “Brunch of Broken Dreams” takes place at 11 a.m. Saturdays. Admission, which includes the Hard Rock Signature Buffet, starts at $59. Add bottomless mimosas for an extra $19.99. brunchofbrokendreams.com

Surf Sunday Brunch

Red Dwarf, 1305 Vegas Valley Drive

Bands including Thee Swank Bastards, Generic Surf Band, Surfers of Mercy and The Eazy perform surf music from noon to 3 p.m. each Sunday. Brunch, consisting of a variety of Detroit-style breakfast pizzas, is served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For $25, you can drink bottomless beers, bloody Marys or Tiki Mosa’s. There’s no cover. reddwarflv.com

House Music Brunch

18bin, 107 E. Charleston Blvd.

The House Music Brunch at 18bin has been so popular, it’s added brunches and open-format DJs to Fridays and Saturdays. With a new menu that includes the likes of a chicken and waffle tower, Philly steak Benedict and Cinnamon Toasties, the House Music Brunch runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays, with live DJs and $25 bottomless mimosas. 18binlv.com/brunch

Carmen’s Love Brunch

The Composers Room, 953 E. Sahara Ave.

Singer Skye Dee Miles headlines this nondenominational gospel experience, complete with an eight- to 10-member choir, three-piece band and dancers, every Sunday in the Commercial Center. The soul food brunch begins at noon and features Southern classics such as fried chicken, catfish, and biscuits and gravy. Miles takes the stage at 1:30 p.m. Tickets to Carmen’s Love Brunch start at $39.95. thecomposersroom.com

‘The Freakiest Brunch on Earth’

The Lexi Las Vegas, 1501 W. Sahara Ave.

This new monthly brunch is centered around a performance by The Obsidian Circus and its cast of circus and sideshow performers led by the burlesque artist known as Miss Brawling Beauty. The elevated circus-themed brunch menu offers up such delicacies as lobster popcorn and a funnel cake breakfast sandwich. “The Freakiest Brunch on Earth” will return 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 20, with roaming performances from 11:30 a.m to 12:30 p.m. and The Obsidian Circus Show from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Admission to the bottomless brunch starts at $50. thelexilasvegas.com

Drag Brunch

Señor Frog’s, 3300 Las Vegas Blvd. South

From one of the production companies behind “RuPaul’s Drag Race Live” at the Flamingo, this drag brunch is performed at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets start at $72 for the show, brunch buffet and unlimited mimosas. dragbrunch.com

Drag Bottomless Brunch

The Garden, 1017 S. First St.

The LGBTQ lounge in the Arts District promises “bottomless cocktails, delicious food and sickening queens,” including resident drag queens Tamisha Iman, Elliott With 2 T’s and Jade Jolie. The Drag Bottomless Brunch takes place at 11 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets start at $70, which includes bottomless mimosas and a choice of entrees such as tiramisu French toast, smoked salmon benedict and a smothered breakfast burrito. thegardenlasvegas.com

Butterfly Brunch

Park on Fremont, 506 Fremont St.

This colorful boozy brunch offers a butterfly-themed menu and specialty cocktails, including the Flower Garden, made with Butterfly Cannon tequila, mint, peach, ginger, fresh lime juice, club soda and an edible flower. Guests are given fans and butterfly sunglasses, and there’s a DJ. Butterfly Brunch is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. parkonfremont.com

Pink Brunch

La Mona Rosa, 100 S. Sixth St.

Everything’s pretty in pink at this weekly brunch at La Mona Rosa, which is Spanish for “the pink monkey.” Pink cocktails highlight the menu, and bottomless mimosas are $40. A DJ provides “high-energy Latin house tracks.” Attendees get free pink heart-shaped sunglasses. Pink Brunch is available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. lamonarosalv.com

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©2024 Las Vegas Review-Journal. Visit reviewjournal.com.. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

5 reasons you should buy Questlove’s new book, ‘Hip-Hop Is History’

Chris Hewitt | (TNS) Star Tribune

Questlove’s “Hip-Hop Is History” could end up being one of the year’s most expensive books.

I’m not talking about the book itself, which is a standard hardcover $30, but about the music it’ll make you buy.

Even before you get to the 16-page appendix titled “Hip-Hop Songs I Actually Listen To,” which lists hundreds of classics and deep cuts, the chatty-but-authoritative book demands to be read next to your Spotify playlist, vinyl collection, YouTube or however you consume music.

Questlove, a “Tonight Show” bandleader, Oscar-winning filmmaker (“Summer of Soul”) and go-to guy for awards shows, also is a chummy, clever writer who knows what he is talking about because he and his band, the Roots, lived it. (The book was co-written by Ben Greenman, who deserves credit for making sure it always sounds like Quest.)

Here’s why you should pick it up:

1. Questlove knows every song. The musician recalls five-hour listening sessions, dating as far back as his youth in Philadelphia. Once he became a pro, he refined a sensibility that is generous and opinionated. So you believe him when, for instance, he talks about why Jay-Z’s collaboration with Dr. Dre failed (Jay-Z “sucked the air out of a room….Because of that he needed a musical backdrop that was bland. He needed butter so you could spread on it.”)

2. Questlove spills (some) tea. There are a few disappointing instances in which the man born as Ahmir Thompson alludes to gossip he won’t reveal, but not many. He recounts his maneuvers while begging stars to do the 2023 Grammy Awards’ “50 Years of Hip-Hop” (the book also marks that anniversary). And, even before recent evidence of Puff Daddy/P Diddy/Diddy’s horrible behavior, it’s clear Questlove didn’t like him as a musician or person. Of the hundreds of songs listed on “Actually Listen To,” none are by Diddy; there’s only one by Kanye West.

3. Questlove dives deep. He has thought hard about sounds most of us barely notice, so the book often feels like a peek into his busy brain. A big Wu-Tang Clan fan, he writes, “With the RZA’s productions for Wu-Tang, I developed an assumption that he hadn’t read the owner’s manual for whatever equipment he was using, both figuratively and literally, and the amateurishness of the execution was part of the charm.”

4. Questlove is full of entertaining surprises. When the book gets to Dre’s album “The Chronic,” Questlove admits he was suspicious of it but “I couldn’t entirely turn my back on the first single, ‘Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang,’ because one of its samples (the hook) was taken from Congress Alley, a 1970s band started by two people named my parents.”

5. Questlove knows everyone. Which is why he can casually drop anecdotes about Solange Knowles, Common, Erykah Badu, Kendrick Lamar and others. The man’s phone has a huge contact list and this entertaining book feels like scrolling through it and saying, “OK, Quest, what can you tell me about Nas?”

____

Hip-Hop Is History

By: Questlove with Ben Greenman.

Publisher: AUWA, 340 pages, $30.

©2024 StarTribune. Visit at startribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Here are some reasons you get muscle cramps and what you can do about them

A muscle cramp is an unexpected tightening or contraction of one or more muscles in the body. These involuntary episodes can be quite painful as the muscle contracts and is unable to relax. They may last for a few seconds to a few minutes or even longer. While doctors don’t know exactly what causes muscle cramps, there are some possible causes and preventive measures to be considered by those who suffer from muscle cramps.

Muscle cramps can occur anywhere in the body, but are most common in the legs and feet. While muscle cramps are typically more of a nuisance than an indication of a serious health problem, they can interfere with sleep and other daily activities.

Summer weather may be a potential trigger for heat cramps, a painful type of muscle cramp. Excess sweating, dehydration, an imbalance in electrolytes in the body — especially when performing physical activity in the hot weather — can lead to muscle cramps during or soon after physical activity. Other risk factors for muscle cramps include older age, deconditioning of the muscles, pregnancy and certain medical problems like diabetes.

While muscle cramps are not harmful, other additional severe symptoms of heat illness such as fatigue, vomiting, dizziness, headache, high fever and shortness of breath are signs of heat exhaustion that require immediate medical attention. Babies and young children as well as adults who are over 65 years old, have high blood pressure or heart concerns or take certain medications are at a greater risk of developing heat-related illness. Other vulnerable groups include people who are unhoused, those with disabilities and individuals who work outdoors.

Consuming adequate essential minerals or electrolytes from your regular diet can help stave off muscle cramps. Foods naturally rich in potassium, calcium, magnesium and sodium help support a healthy body including nerve signaling and muscle functioning. It’s common knowledge that bananas are rich in potassium, but so are nuts, seeds, melon and tomatoes and tomato products. Other mineral-rich foods include dairy products, salmon, beans and leafy green vegetables like spinach and kale.

Avoid consuming too much heavily processed foods and fast foods, which are often low in important nutrients needed for healthy muscles. Plus, alcohol consumption is associated with muscle cramps so limit or avoid alcoholic beverages.

Staying well-hydrated, especially when working or exercising in the heat for extended time periods, is important for preventing muscle cramps and preventing heat-related illness. While water is the best choice for hydration, electrolyte beverages or mixes can help replace minerals lost through sweating. Look for electrolyte hydration products without added sugar. Other good options for hydration include coconut water and broth.

Generally, studies show that warming up and stretching before and after exercise as well as stretching before bedtime appear to help reduce exercise-induced muscle cramps and nocturnal muscle cramps, respectively.

Although the cause of muscle cramps is unknown, it seems that they are multifactorial and likely more systemic in nature, not simply a problem with the affected muscle. Here are some holistic health steps you can take to help prevent muscle cramps:

1. Stay well-hydrated especially during hot summer weather and avoid drinking alcohol.

2. Do gentle stretches before and after physical activity and before bedtime.

3. Eat a whole foods diet that is rich in essential minerals including potassium, calcium, magnesium and sodium while limiting highly processed foods.

4. Be cautious when performing physical activity outdoors in extreme heat.

5. Talk to your health care provider for a personalized plan to prevent and manage muscle cramps.

LeeAnn Weintraub, MPH, RD is a registered dietitian, providing nutrition counseling and consulting to individuals, families and organizations. She can be reached by email at RD@halfacup.com.

The iconic Caesar salad turns 100. Do you know its local origin story?

As legend goes, Italian immigrant Caesar Cardini was in his Tijuana restaurant on a particularly busy day when he whipped up a salad with ingredients he happened to have on hand.

One hundred years later, the Caesar salad has become one of the most ubiquitous staples on restaurant menus around the world.

This week, Tijuana is hosting a four-day centennial bash for the iconic dish once hailed as “the greatest recipe to originate in the Americas in 50 years” by the International Society of Epicures in Paris.

“It’s a recipe that has traveled all over the world,” said famed Tijuana chef Javier Plascencia, whose family now runs the namesake Caesar’s Restaurant. “Everyone loves it, and the fact that it’s from Tijuana is a source of pride for us, and it’s also a duty to continue to promote its history.”

But as with any legend, there are many versions.

Caesar Cardini is featured on the sign of Caesar’s Restaurant in Tijuana. (Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Over the years, many names have been bandied about as the inventor of the salad, including Cardini, his brother Alex Cardini, and Livio Santini, a young chef at the then-Caesar’s Place who some believe brought his mother’s salad recipe with him from Italy. There’s also chef Giacomo Junia, who is said to have invented the salad in 1903 in Chicago. And there are even more.

Tijuana historian Fernando Escobedo de la Torre and businessman Armando Avakian Gámez are adding their own well-researched take to the lore with a new book being released in conjunction with the centennial. And they conclude that the original salad was created by Caesar Cardini on July 4, 1924, in Tijuana. Their book is based on testimony, historical archives and eight years of research, they said.

Famous American chef and television personality Julia Child counts among her early restaurant memories the day when, as a teenager, she went to Caesar’s restaurant in Tijuana.

Tijuana was flourishing as a cross-border tourist draw during the Prohibition era, also pulling Italian immigrants like Cardini to the city’s food and wine scene.

Historic photos adorn the walls of Caesar’s Restaurant. (Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

“People came down from the Los Angeles area in droves to eat in the restaurants; they drank forbidden beer and cocktails as they toured the bars of the town; they strolled in the flowered patio of Agua Caliente listening to the marimba band, and they gambled wickedly at the casino,” she wrote in her 1975 book, “From Julia Child’s Kitchen.” “Word spread about Tijuana and the good life, and about Caesar Cardini’s restaurant, and about Caesar’s salad.”

Her parents ordered the much talked about dish. “Caesar himself rolled the big cart up to the table, tossed the romaine in a great wooden bowl, and I wish I could say I remember every move, but I don’t,” she wrote. “The only thing I see again clearly is the eggs. I can see him break 2 eggs over that romaine and roll them in, the greens going all creamy as the eggs flowed over them. Two eggs in a salad? … And garlic-flavored croutons, and grated Parmesan cheese? It was a sensation of a salad from coast to coast, and there were even rumblings of its success in Europe.”

There were notably no anchovies in this original version of the salad.

It was the patrons themselves who spread the word to other parts of the United States and even Europe. Celebrities and other personalities became promoters of the salad, Escobedo said. “It went viral,” he said. “To the point where now you can find it on every menu in every country in the world.”

Around 1930 the salad was offered as the “Romaine Parmigian Dressing” for 50 cents, according to an original menu on display at Caesar’s Restaurant.

Disputed origins

That simplified origin story seems to have been pushed by Cardini’s family throughout the years, but has also been questioned.

“I don’t care how many times that story has been published and repeated,” Rosa Cardini said in a 1995 interview with The Daily Breeze. “My father was an incredibly professional restaurateur and hotelier. There is absolutely no way he ran out of food. He was a little low on food, that’s all.

“Also, it’s always reported that he madly dashed into the kitchen and gathered up just the bits of what was there and came up with the Caesar salad,” she continued. “Well, my father was professionally trained in food preparation. The reason this salad has lasted and prospered is because it’s really a work of genius.

She added: “Every ingredient was picked to blend together perfectly with the others. They were not just chosen haphazardly because he was out of food.” Rosa Cardini, a San Diego native, passed away in 2003 at 75.

The story goes that Caesar’s brother, Alex Cardini, a chef and former pilot in the Italian Air Force during World War I, added anchovy paste to a crostini, and named it the Aviator’s Salad in honor of the pilots at Rockwell Field Air Base in San Diego. This version of the salad — which was also later called Alex’s Caesar salad — was created in 1927, according to Escobedo.

Santini, a young chef who started working with the brothers in late 1924, also put his spin on the salad years later, adding paprika to croutons, according to research by Escobedo and Avakian, who owns the property where Caesar’s now is located.

Martin Lindsay, board chair of the nonprofit Culinary Historians of San Diego, has been researching the story for more than five years and believes it ultimately comes down to the Cardini brothers and Santini.

“Back-and-forth, and back-and-forth, people have been saying ‘no, it was him’, ‘no, it was him,’” Lindsay said. “People on the West Coast, in San Diego and Tijuana, kind of say it was Caesar. People in Texas say it was Alex, because Alex’s sons and some of his family still live in Texas. And then there’s Livio Santini and his family.”

But Lindsay believes that in some way, “all three were involved in the birth of the Caesar salad.”

“I can confidently say it is from Tijuana,” Lindsay said.

Escobedo and Avakian claim that the salad was created at Cardini’s former location, Café Alhambra, where he operated from 1922 to 1925. The restaurant was also located on Avenida Revolución for a time but was destroyed in a fire. He later opened Caesar’s Place (1926-1930) on Second Avenue and moved to its current location downtown on Avenida Revolución.

The ingredients

The salad is still prepared table-side at Caesar’s Restaurant, just as it was for Child. The waiter, wearing a tie and vest, prepares the current version of the original salad in a wooden bowl in front of the guests.

[image error]A plated Caesar’s salad, with anchovies, garlic, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, lime juice, egg yolk, olive oil and Parmesan cheese, mixed with large wedges of romaine lettuce, more cheese and a crostini. (Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

First, the dressing ingredients are mixed together — anchovies, garlic, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, lime juice, egg yolk, olive oil and Parmesan cheese. The dressing is then mixed with large wedges of romaine lettuce, more cheese and a crostini. The dish is ready in about three minutes.

Between 8,500 and 9,000 Caesar salads are made at the restaurant each month, said salad master Efraín Montoya, and people from all over Mexico, the U.S. and beyond travel to the restaurant to try them.

“Let’s not lose this tradition of making the salad at the table,” Plascencia said. “It is truly an art that all of our servers and ensaladeros take great pride in.”

The restaurant has been run by the Plascencia family since 2010. Juan José Plascencia, who is also the current president of the Tijuana chapter of the National Chamber of the Restaurant and Seasoned Food Industry, said they took over the restaurant when they realized it was going to close.

Plascencia said his grandfather used to be a bartender at Caesar’s, so the family has a special connection to the place. “It’s an iconic restaurant,” he said.

At the restaurant, the recipe for the current version of the original is shared with guests on cards in English and Spanish.

Birthday party

The salad will be the star of the city’s centennial party.

The celebration includes two sold-out dinners featuring renowned chefs. The launch of both the centennial book and a commemorative Casa Magoni wine will be held Friday; admission is free.

[image error]The dining room of Caesar’s Restaurant. (Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

And on Sunday, Avenida Revolución will host a 1930s-themed festival featuring gastronomic offerings by celebrity chefs. Tickets are available online for about $75. For more information, visit TijuanaCaesars.com. Portions of the proceeds will go toward the Tijuana Without Hunger Foundation, organizers said.

Horoscopes July 1, 2024: Missy Elliott, trust your intuition

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Liv Tyler, 47; Missy Elliott, 53; Pamela Anderson, 57; Dan Aykroyd, 72.

Happy Birthday: Reach out and connect with people who share your purpose and desires in life. Use your imagination to inspire those around you. Dedicate more time to your beliefs, and strive to understand the best method you can adopt to reach your goal. Don’t let your monetary situation deter you from moving forward. Trust your intuition; use charm, enthusiasm, and persuasiveness, and you will succeed. Your numbers are 8, 10, 21, 27, 30, 44, 47.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Look at the big picture before you step in and take over. Understanding the ramifications of a gesture before you make a move is essential. Hit the reset button and determine what you can do differently for better results. Change what’s necessary to get things done. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Start a dialogue that will help you get your point across and the approval of those who can make your journey easier. A change at home will give you breathing room and a chance to use your physical attributes and intuitive insight advantageously. Personal improvements are favored. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): An elaborate description may not portray authenticity. Question anything that contrasts common sense. Decisions require sound evidence that you are making the right and best choice before you begin. Any discrepancy requires a step back. Refrain from relying on secondhand information. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Participate, speak up and make a difference. An articulate point of view will suggest alternatives for others to consider. Pay attention to detail, especially when your skills are such that you can make a difference. Use your money or experience to help others. Change begins with you. 4 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): An opportunity someone presents will need more substance. Don’t believe everything you hear or let anyone push you into something you don’t need. Take your time and learn all you can before you take on something that requires time and money. Clear up loose ends before starting something new. 2 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Set a pattern, and don’t veer off course. Repetition will lead to success. Make a name for yourself among your peers. Discipline and hard work, with unique imagination and flair, will display what you bring to the table and dazzle those who can help you excel. 5 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Let your ideas flow and your skills help turn your vision into something tangible. Refuse to let what others think deter you from following the path that excites you most. Be open to suggestions, but put your energy into satisfying your soul. Do things your way. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Put your money in a safe place while you figure out your next financial move. A partnership will make a difference in how you proceed. Communication can be your ticket to a better lifestyle or improving your surroundings and mental attitude. Stop daydreaming and start moving. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Be open to suggestions but cautious when following through. A change is in order but must be compatible with your plans, lifestyle and bank account before you engage. Know when to reach out and get an expert’s input. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Press play and continue until you are happy with your achievements. A domestic change will make your surroundings accommodating. You’ll save money if you make an efficiency upgrade or partner with someone who can ease your overhead. Woo someone who interests you, and you’ll find common ground. 5 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Look at your choices, but take your time in changing or agreeing with something you can’t justify. An emotional situation will escalate if you aren’t stern regarding your wants and needs. Look out for your interests. 2 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Speed things up and take advantage of a chance to try something that interests you. The people you encounter through networking events will give you plenty to consider and encourage you to put your energy into something that is in sync with your skills and attributes. 4 stars

Birthday Baby: You are intelligent, spontaneous and dedicated. You are ambitious and opportunity-driven.

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.

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Chris Paul to sign with Spurs: reports

Veteran point guard Chris Paul is set to sign with the San Antonio Spurs, according to multiple reports.

Paul, 39, spent one season with the Warriors, who acquired him before last season in the Jordan Poole trade. The transaction amounted to a salary dump for the Warriors, with Paul’s contract now coming off the books.

Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Paul’s agreed-upon deal with the Spurs is worth at least $11 million for one year.

Paul became a free agent on Sunday when the Warriors waived him. They agreed to move his contract guarantee date back a couple days while searching for a possible trade, but none materialized.

In San Antonio for his 20th NBA season, the 12-time All-Star will team up with 20-year-old phenom Victor Wembanyama. Before Wembanyama became the league’s Rookie of the Year, Paul watched him play in an exhibition against the G League Ignite.

“To see him putting it all together and to know the type of work ethic…and hear how they talk about him around here is pretty cool, too,” Paul said after the Warriors beat the Spurs in San Antonio on March 11.

In that win, Paul started in place of Steph Curry and logged 19 points, nine rebounds and eight assists — among his best performances of the season. He still has game.

For the Warriors, Paul accepted a bench role for the first time in his career, but has a good chance to start for the Spurs. San Antonio struggled at the point guard position last year, experimenting with Jeremy Sochan as the lead guard.

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Paul should be excellent for Wembanyama’s development. As a playmaking maestro, Paul can help Wembanyama hone his game in the pick-and-roll. Wembanyama averaged 21.4 points and 10.6 blocks per game in his rookie campaign and is already an elite defender; he led the NBA with 3.6 blocks per game.

“He’s such a smart player and a good defender that he changed a couple of my middies tonight,” Paul said on March 11. “You’ve got to shoot it to the moon. One of the lobs I threw to Trayce, he got a hand on it. He does a lot of things that don’t show up on the stat sheet.”

The Spurs went 22-60 last year, finishing 14th in the West. Paul has a history of making young, upstart teams credible, though; in 2019-20, he helped a 21-year-old Shai Gilgeous-Alexander take the Thunder to the fifth seed.