Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 81

SF Giants’ walk-off Phillies on Bailey’s inside-the-park homer

SAN FRANCISCO — At any other ballpark, Patrick Bailey could’ve jogged. Here — and only here — he’d have to sprint.

Bailey’s deep drive to right-center field in the bottom of the ninth traveled an estimated 414 feet. If Bailey’s ball landed in the bleachers, the moment would’ve still been special. Oracle Park would’ve still erupted. His teammates would’ve still doused him in Powerade.

Instead, the ball bounced off the concrete lip of an angled 24-foot-high wall. As it rolled along the warning track, the moment was no longer going to be just special. As Bailey lost his helmet in between second and third, the moment was no longer going to be just memorable. As Bailey crossed home, his oxygen reserves depleted after completing a walk-off, three-run, inside-the-park home run to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies, 4-3, the moment transcended into the echelon of unforgettable.

“That was the most electric play I think I’ve ever seen,” said Brett Wisely of the first walk-off, inside-the-park home run by a catcher since Bennie Tate on August 11, 1926.

“I thought it was out, but it kicked off the wall,” said manager Bob Melvin. “You don’t see many inside-the-park home runs. It was Ichiro-esque in the All-Star Game, maybe a different speed.”

A different speed, and a different context.

There are few individual plays in Oracle Park’s two-and-a-half decade long history that exist in the same stratosphere of what Bailey orchestrated on Tuesday night. One of them, of course, was when Ángel Pagán achieved the same feat against the Colorado Rockies on May 25, 2013. But while Pagán barely beat the throw home — injuring his hamstring in the process — Bailey’s mad dash was more of an inevitability.

Bailey stepped to the plate against the Phillies’ Jordan Romano with the Giants trailing, 3-1, and down to their final two outs. To that point, San Francisco’s offense had been quieted by Philadelphia’s quasi-bullpen game, and Kyle Schwarber’s two-run Splash Hit off Spencer Bivens constituted the loudest swing of the night. Soon, Bailey had his response.

Casey Schmitt doubled on Romano’s first pitch of the inning, and after Jung Hoo Lee popped out, Wilmer Flores lined a single up the middle to put runners at the corners. Wisely, the Giants’ fastest runner off the bench, pinch-ran for Flores.

Romano began the at-bat against Bailey with a 93.9 mph four-seam fastball right down the middle. Bailey sent it into the San Francisco night. Thanks to Oracle Park’s architecture and geometry, the ball took a sharp bounce off the concrete and darted towards left field.

Schmitt tagged at third just to make sure the ball wouldn’t be caught, then cruised home. Wisely was already rounding second once the ball bounced and also scored easily. By the time center fielder Brandon Marsh finally retrieved the ball, Bailey was already rounding third and on his way home.

“Once I scored, I saw Schmitty kind of pop up. I was like, ‘Oh [expletive], Bailey’s coming too,’” Wisely said. “When I turned around, I saw Patty coming. Honestly, that was the wildest ending to a game I’ve ever been apart of.”

With every base that Bailey touched, Oracle Park’s sellout crowd of 40,212 seemed to go up an octave, a cacophony of cathartic cries that somehow kept growing louder and louder. Shortstop Edmundo Sosa desperately heaved the ball home upon fielding the relay, but the throw was equal parts errant and late.

“Once I saw the bounce,” Bailey said, “I was like, ‘All right, just don’t fall over.’”

Bailey wouldn’t fall over until after he crossed home plate as his teammates frenetically mobbed him near the first-base dugout. In the fervor of the celebration, Bailey ended up at the bottom of a dog pile defending himself from an onslaught of Giants who were losing their minds. Willy Adames rushed in and ripped off the black City Connect jersey. Another teammate bombarded him with the yellow contents of a Powerade jug.

“I fell down and just got in a fetal position,” Bailey said. “Everyone’s tugging on my jersey. I literally blacked out while I was rounding third.”

“I was just trying to rip the jersey,” Adames laughed. “I don’t know what everybody else was doing.”

Bailey’s inside-the-park homer marked the Giants’ ninth walk-off win this season, a mark that leads all of baseball. Among the other eight walk-offs, the only one that can match the pure lunacy of Bailey’s was Heliot Ramos’ Little League home run, one that required the Texas Rangers to commit two throwing errors.

“The Ramos one was more odd,” said Robbie Ray, who allowed one run over 5 2/3 innings with five strikeouts. “This one was just kind of amazing. We’re down in that situation. The at-bat where Flo … switches his bat out after the first pitch then hits a rocket up the middle. Then, Patty just ran the bases like he did. That was really cool, really special.”

“Patrick’s was more epic,” Adames laughed.

A week ago, San Francisco desperately searching for these types of epic months.

The Giants ended June by losing six of their last seven games in what was unquestionably their worst stretch of the season. In July, by contrast, they’re won six of their first eight games. They’re on cusp of sweeping the Phillies, and a pivotal three-game set against the Los Angeles Dodgers looms this weekend.

“Great teams, they go through those stretches throughout the year,” Adames said. “For me, personally, I’d rather have that moment now than going into September. I feel like when you go through this, it makes the team stronger. We know what to do to bounce back.”

Devers won’t play first base in first half due to back

Manager Bob Melvin said that Devers won’t play first base until the second half at the earliest due to his lingering back injury.

The Giants originally planned for Devers to make his debut at first base during their recent 10-game road trip against the Chicago White Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks and Athletics. With Devers managing both back and groin ailments, San Francisco placed those plans on the back burner. Melvin said the back is currently more of an issue than the groin.

Devers said the back pain started a couple days after he was traded to the Giants from the Boston Red Sox. He’s still taking grounders at first base prior to games as he prepares to make his first appearance at the position.

“It’s nothing serious,” Devers said through team interpreter Erwin Higueros. “I never had back problems. At first, it was just the groin. But all of a sudden I started feeling uncomfortable with the back.”

Prime Day 2025 delivers big deals on must-have products

Amazon offers deep discounts on Apple, DeWalt, Ninja and other top brands for Prime Day

Amazon’s highly anticipated Prime Day sale is here, and the savings are off the charts. Taking place July 8-11 this year, the deals are as good as ever. With thousands of offerings across the board, going through them all is an impossible task. Instead, we rounded up the best Prime Day deals you won’t want to miss. These top picks come from the hottest brands and are offered at steep discounts. The Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) and Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, in particular, got the stamp of approval from our Testing Lab.

Last updated July 8, 2025 at  1:30 a.m. PT.

Jump to all the deals on Amazon here:

Apple Deals at Amazon Kitchen and Dining Deals at Amazon Electronics Deals at Amazon Best Prime Day deals to shop

Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense SPF 60 Face Sunscreen + Hydrating Serum 30% OFF

This lightweight facial sunscreen provides SPF 60 broad-spectrum protection from harmful UVA/UVB rays. It protects against sunburns and the premature aging that results from sun damage. The formula is hydrating, rich in antioxidants and oil-free, so it won’t trigger breakouts.

Oral-B Genius X Limited Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush 50% OFF + $20 OFF COUPON

The Oral-B Genius X is a high-end electric toothbrush packed with advanced features and AI technology. There are five cleaning modes, a pressure sensor that protects your gums and a two-minute quadrant timer that ensures you’re brushing enough in each area. When synced with a smartphone, it even lets you track your brushing habits. The toothbrush comes with a charger base, a brush head that lasts 90 days and a travel bag.

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This jar candle has a lovely fragrance reminiscent of a tropical island, featuring citrus, florals and vanilla elements. The single-wick candle contains paraffin wax and burns for 110 hours, so you’ll get plenty of uses out of it.

Revlon One Step Volumizer PLUS Hair Dryer and Styler 60% OFF

This 2-in-1 Revlon hair dryer and styler won the Best of Beauty Award from “Allure.” There are four heat settings for versatile styling options, whether you want a voluminous blowout, beachy waves or soft curls. A ceramic titanium barrel protects against heat damage and maintains shine. As a bonus, the handle is detachable and travel-friendly.

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) 36% OFF

If you’re looking to build a smart home or upgrade your existing one, Amazon’s Echo Dot is a solid buy. Approved by our Testing Lab, the latest generation of this smart speaker offers bigger and better sound than previous models. The Echo Dot lets you listen to music, podcasts and audiobooks, set timers and alarms, get weather reports, check the score during a sports game and more. When paired with compatible smart home devices, you can get even more out of this speaker, such as adjusting the thermostat or controlling the lighting in your home.

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Amazon Fire TV 32-Inch 2-Series HD Smart TV 27% OFF

A good-quality smart TV doesn’t have to cost a fortune. This Amazon Fire TV has HD resolution and supports HDR 10, HLG and Dolby Digital Audio. You can stream movies, access live TV, play video games, control smart home devices and more. An included Alexa remote enables voice control. This smart TV is available in 32- and 40-inch models, both of which are on sale for Prime Day.

Samsonite Freeform Hardside Expandable Suitcase  37% OFF

Good quality luggage is a must for any traveler. Broken wheels, zippers and the like can throw a wrench in your plans and may even make you miss your flight. This Samsonite offering is as high-quality as they come. It’s equipped with a durable, yet lightweight shell that can stand up to the rigors of travel while not adding much weight. It glides smoothly on four multidirectional spinner wheels. The expandable design increases the capacity if you’ve got a lot to pack, and a recessed TSA lock provides extra security.

DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit 42% OFF

For home improvement fans and DIYers looking to invest in quality power tools, this DeWalt deal is solid. The kit contains a 1/2-inch drill/driver and a 1/4-inch impact driver. These cordless tools are compact and lightweight without compromising on power. The kit also comes with two batteries, a charger and a heavy-duty bag for storage and transport.

Dyson Pure Cool TP4B Purifying Fan 23% OFF

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More of the best Prime Day dealsLodge 6-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven 20% OFFAmazon Fire TV Stick 4K 50% OFFCanon PIXMA TS6420a All-in-One Wireless Inkjet Printer 58% OFFBlack + Decker Dustbuster 17% OFFJBL Flip Portable Bluetooth Speaker 23% OFFShark Navigator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum 32% OFFApple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds 40% OFFFullstar Vegetable Chopper and Spiralizer 50% OFFRedTiger Golf Rangefinder 47% OFFBedsure Orthopedic Dog Bed 18% OFF

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.

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

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NBA Summer League takeaways: Alex Toohey has up-and-down debut for Warriors

Alex Toohey takes the floor

SAN FRANCISCO — Australian rookie Alex Toohey made his Summer League debut on Tuesday afternoon, slotting in at the forward spot during the Warriors’ 93-79 loss to the Heat in front of an empty Chase Center. 

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He was the No. 52 selection in the recent draft — four spots before Will Richard — and his trade had been finalized on Sunday. 

It took him a while to get on the scoresheet, making his first free throws with a minute left in the quarter. Because the game was closed to the public, the only cheers that could be heard came from his teammates on the bench.

Toohey finished the afternoon with six points and half dozen rebounds, with coach Lainn Wilson noting the increased physicality and athleticism being something the rookie will need to continue to acclimate to. Toohey agreed.

“It’s definitely a jump,” Toohey said when comparing Australia to the NBA game. “The athletes here are the best of the best, so the gaps that you usually have, kind of aren’t there. It’ll definitely take some adjusting to.”

He grabbed five of those rebounds in the first half and defended fellow rookie Kasparas Jakucionis with gusto, showing a willingness to mix it up inside when asked. 

Toohey averaged 10.5 points and 3.9 rebounds per game for the Sydney Kings in the National Basketball League. At 6-foot-8 and 223 pounds, he made 26 of 86 3-point field goals in Australia.

But the offense while stateside was a mixed bag. 

Toohey was able to get to his spots several times, but his lack of burst was apparent on a few thwarted drives, and he was only able to get off two shots in the first half. He did not make a basket until flipping in a layup with two minutes remaining in the game.  

Golden State’s next game will be on Friday at 8 p.m. vs. the Trail Blazers in Las Vegas. 

Other Warriors make an impression

Golden State Warriors’ Coleman Hawkins (50) takes a shot against the Miami Heat in the fourth quarter of their California Classic Summer League game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Leading scorer Isaiah Mobley did not play in the finale, and other players stepped up. Rookie guard Taran Armstrong – who did not play in any NBA games last season – put up seven assists as the team’s point guard. 

Richard, the No. 56 selection in the draft, scored 12 points after putting up 16 on Sunday. 

Jackson Rowe did a little bit of everything, scoring 14 points and grabbing two rebounds. Utah product Gabe Madsen buried three 3-pointers and scored nine, and also had four assists. Fellow guard Leopold Delaunay put in an efficient 11 points. 

Sacramento native Coleman Hawkins was active around the rim and scored nine points, grabbed three rebounds and even made a few nice passes on his way to four assists.

“He was solid, and he came in and really upped the intensity,” Wilson said.

NBC test run

The Miami Heat and the Golden State Warriors warm up before their California Classic Summer League game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. Fans were not allowed into the arena. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

The two games at Chase Center were not open to fans, so in the relative silence created in their absence, it was easy to notice a steady stream of commentary coming from third-party announcers. 

Noah Eagle, Austin Rivers and several other NBC-affiliated media members participated in a test broadcast in San Francisco.

The television giant re-acquired the rights to show NBA games after a 23-year hiatus and will begin broadcasting games this fall. 

Keshad Johnson faces his hometown team

San Leandro alum and Heat forward Keshad Johnson led all scorers with 15 points. He had nine points and nine rebounds against the Spurs on Saturday, but did not play on Sunday. 

In a recent interview with the Bay Area News Group, Johnson said, “I’ve been working on my jumper a lot. And for other skills, how to screen and how to get off of screens faster, and passing and making the right reads.”

USF alum Marcus Williams scored 10 points for the Heat.

Golden State Warriors’ Taran Armstrong (1) takes a shot against Miami Heat’s Keshad Johnson (16) in the third quarter of their California Classic Summer League game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Golden State Warriors’ Will Richard (3) takes a 3-point shot against the Miami Heat in the fourth quarter of their California Classic Summer League game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Golden State Warriors’ Coleman Hawkins (50) takes a shot against Miami Heat’s Vladislav Goldin (50) in the fourth quarter of their California Classic Summer League game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Golden State Warriors’ Taran Armstrong (1) dribbles against Miami Heat’s Marcus Williams (56) in the second quarter of their California Classic Summer League game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Golden State Warriors’ Gabe Madsen (55) fights for the ball against Miami Heat’s Marcus Williams (56) in the fourth quarter of their California Classic Summer League game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Golden State Warriors’ Taran Armstrong (1) passes the ball against Miami Heat’s Vladislav Goldin (50) in the second quarter of their California Classic Summer League game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Golden State Warriors’ Taran Armstrong (1) dribbles against Miami Heat’s Kasparas Jakucionis (25) in the third quarter of their California Classic Summer League game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Golden State Warriors’ Marques Bolden (20) takes a shot against the Miami Heat in the second quarter of their California Classic Summer League game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Miami Heat’s Keshad Johnson (16) fouls Golden State Warriors’ Leopold Delaunay (19) in the fourth quarter of their California Classic Summer League game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Golden State Warriors’ Will Richard (3) takes a shot against Miami Heat’s Steve Settle III (68) in the fourth quarter of their California Classic Summer League game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Miami Heat’s Marcus Williams (56) grabs a rebound against the Golden State Warriors in the third quarter of their California Classic Summer League game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Golden State Warriors’ Taran Armstrong (1) fights for the ball against Miami Heat’s Myron Gardner (75) and Miami Heat’s Marcus Williams (56) in the second quarter of their California Classic Summer League game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Show Caption1 of 12Golden State Warriors’ Taran Armstrong (1) takes a shot against Miami Heat’s Keshad Johnson (16) in the third quarter of their California Classic Summer League game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Expand

 

Trump ruminates on past presidents and their portraits: ‘I’m a frame person’

By WILL WEISSERT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Turns out Donald Trump gauges his esteem for presidential predecessors by how well their portraits fit into his White House redecorating scheme. Or sometimes how well the frames around those portraits do.

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“I’m a frame person,” Trump said Tuesday during a meeting with his Cabinet. “Sometimes I like frames more than I like the pictures.”

Trump wrapped up a 90-plus-minute session by explaining how he personally worked to redecorate the Cabinet Room, seeming to take real joy in choosing which portraits were hung. The president also said he helped choose the room’s drapes and polled those present about whether he should repaint the room in gold leaf. (Cabinet members think he should.)

“I actually spent time in the vaults. The vaults are where we have a lot of great pictures and artwork. And I picked it all myself,” Trump said. “I’m very proud of it.”

The president said that meant “a lot of time, effort” and “very little money.” He even recounted having gone to Secretary of State Marco Rubio ‘s office and directing that a grandfather clock there be moved to the White House.

“As president, you have the power — if I go into the State Department, or Department of Commerce or Treasury — if I see anything that I like, I’m allowed to take it,” Trump said, drawing laughs. He offered the anecdote despite there not being any record of Trump having paid a public visit to the State Department during Rubio’s tenure.

Trump also pointed out each portrait and shared what he thought of each ex-president depicted. He started by indicating “the great Andrew Jackson ” and went from there — renewing his frequent praise for William McKinley and getting in a dig about how Bill Clinton once offered donors overnight stays in the Lincoln bedroom in exchange for campaign contributions.

WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 08: A painting of former President Abraham Lincoln is visible on the wall as U.S. President Donald Trump talks about redecorating the Cabinet Room during a cabinet meeting at the White House on July 08, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump discussed the recent flash flooding tragedy in Central Texas where at least 109 people have died, and other topics during the portion of the meeting that was open to members of the media. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 08: A portrait of former President James Polk is visible on the wall as U.S. President Donald Trump talks about redecorating the Cabinet Room during a cabinet meeting at the White House on July 08, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump discussed the recent flash flooding tragedy in Central Texas where at least 109 people have died, and other topics during the portion of the meeting that was open to members of the media. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 08: A clock, that U.S. President Donald Trump said he took from the State Department is visible as Trump talks about redecorating the Cabinet Room during a cabinet meeting at the White House on July 08, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump discussed the recent flash flooding tragedy in Central Texas where at least 109 people have died, and other topics during the portion of the meeting that was open to members of the media. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 08: U.S. President Donald Trump, accompanied by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (L) and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (R), discusses his decorating of the Cabinet Room during a cabinet meeting at the White House on July 08, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump discussed the recent flash flooding tragedy in Central Texas where at least 109 people have died, and other topics during the portion of the meeting that was open to members of the media. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 08: A portrait of former President Dwight D. Eisenhower is visible on the wall as U.S. President Donald Trump talks about redecorating the Cabinet Room during a cabinet meeting at the White House on July 08, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump discussed the recent flash flooding tragedy in Central Texas where at least 109 people have died, and other topics during the portion of the meeting that was open to members of the media. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 08: A painting of former President Abraham Lincoln is visible on the wall as U.S. President Donald Trump talks about redecorating the Cabinet Room during a cabinet meeting at the White House on July 08, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump discussed the recent flash flooding tragedy in Central Texas where at least 109 people have died, and other topics during the portion of the meeting that was open to members of the media. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 08: A painting of former President Abraham Lincoln is visible on the wall as U.S. President Donald Trump talks about redecorating the Cabinet Room during a cabinet meeting at the White House on July 08, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump discussed the recent flash flooding tragedy in Central Texas where at least 109 people have died, and other topics during the portion of the meeting that was open to members of the media. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)President Donald Trump, right seated, speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)Show Caption1 of 8WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 08: A painting of former President Abraham Lincoln is visible on the wall as U.S. President Donald Trump talks about redecorating the Cabinet Room during a cabinet meeting at the White House on July 08, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump discussed the recent flash flooding tragedy in Central Texas where at least 109 people have died, and other topics during the portion of the meeting that was open to members of the media. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)Expand

Here’s what Trump said about some past presidents:

James K. Polk (1845-49):

“That’s a gentleman named — and we call him — President Polk. He was sort of a real-estate guy. He was — people don’t realize — he was a one-termer. But he was a very good president. But, and I’m not sure I should be doing this, he actually gave us the state of California.”

Then Trump revealed that his choice of Polk’s picture might have had more do with the portrait’s frame being almost the same size as the frame surrounding Jackson’s portrait, which he suggested was especially aesthetically pleasing: “Polk is actually a very good president who’s got the same frame that I needed, OK.”

Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953-61):

“A very underrated president. Built the Interstate (Highway) System. And he was the toughest president, I guess, until we came along. But I don’t mind giving up that crown, because, I don’t want to be too tough on it. But we want to be humane. But he was the toughest president on immigration. He was very strong at the borders. Very, very strong. And, sometimes you can be too strong. He was strong at the borders and, during a certain period of time, there was so strong that almost every farmer in California went bankrupt. And we have to remember that. We have to work together. We have to remember that. But he was a very good president, and a very good general and a very good president and I thought he deserved a position somewhere on this floor.”

Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-45):

“He was not a Republican, to put it mildly. But he was, you know, a four-termer. He was Franklin Delano Roosevelt. And, if you notice, we have a lot of ramps outside. You have a ramp. People say, ‘It’s an unusual place for a ramp.’ It was because of him. He was wheelchair bound. But he was an amazing man.”

Abraham Lincoln (1861-65):

“Over there is ‘Honest’ Abe Lincoln. And that picture was in his, ugh, in his bedroom. And we thought this would be a very important place because this is where wars are ended. I’m not going to say wars are declared. I’m going to say wars are ended. OK? We’ll be positive. And, that’s the picture of Abe Lincoln from his bedroom, sat in the bedroom for many, many years. That was his favorite picture of himself. And the Lincoln Bedroom’s very famous. You remember when Bill Clinton had it and he rented it out to people. We don’t do that.”

John Adams (1797-1801):

“They were the first occupants of the White House. 1800. And John Quincy Adams, Mrs. Adams, they were the first occupants. So we have them looking at each other and, in between their stares is Abraham Lincoln trying to make peace.”

(Trump is correct that John Adams, the nation’s second president, and his wife Abigail, were the first first couple to move into the White House in 1800. But he was mistaken about John Quincy Adams, who was John and Abigail’s son and the sixth president. He served from 1825 to 1829).

William McKinley (1897-1901):

“McKinley was a great president who never got credit. In fact, they changed the name of and I changed it back because he should have been — the people of Ohio, he was the governor of Ohio — the people of Ohio were very happy when I did that. I heard they were very insulted. They took the name of Mount McKinley off. That was done by Obama a little while ago and I had to change it back. I changed it back. He actually was a great president. He was a president. He was the tariff, the most, I guess since me — I think I’m gonna outdo him — but he was a tariff president. He believed that other countries should pay for the privilege of coming into our country and taking our jobs and taking our treasure. That’s the way he explained it. They took our jobs and they took our treasure. And for that he should pay. And he made them pay. And he built a tremendous fortune.”

Will Weissert covers the White House for The Associated Press.

Chocolate and peanut butter go great together in these treats

By Cathy Thomas | Correspondent

I’d never considered the pairing as one of the best on the planet. But when my grandson Jacob was 5, he offered his opinion in a confident tone. He looked me in the eye and proclaimed that peanut butter and chocolate are the best combination of flavors.

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Some might argue, offering up different sets of two ingredients that work together harmoniously. My father always sang the praises of strawberries and cream; my mother would weigh in with apples and cinnamon. For me, my palate wavers, but my favorite ingredient combinations often showcase some kind of cheese.

Now in high school, Jacob and I have made hundreds of Peanut Blossom Cookies, tasty peanut butter cookies, each adorned with a Hershey’s chocolate kiss. The recipe has been around for decades and it’s foolproof, a great treat to bake with kids.

The recipe is included here, along with a brownie that shows off peanut butter as well as chocolate. Also included is a formula for Peanut Brittle Bars, a bar cookie that uses chocolate and salted, roasted peanuts, deviating a smidgen from the peanut butter theme. But I couldn’t leave them out. To my palate, they are the best bar cookies imaginable. The pairing is a jewel.

Peanut Brittle Bars

My hankering for salty-sweet treats started with my Aunt Lillian’s peanut brittle. Throughout my childhood, every year her nut-laden candy arrived a few days before Christmas. Tightly packed in a pristine coffee can, Lillian’s crunchy confections disappeared far too quickly. Well into adulthood I discovered Peanut Brittle Bars. The crisp squares showcased a topping of salted peanuts, along with chocolate chips and caramel.

Yield: 48 bars

INGREDIENTSBase:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1 tablespoon toasted wheat germ

1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup (2 sticks) cold butter, cut into 1/4-inch slices

Topping:

2 cups salted, roasted peanuts

1 cup milk chocolate chips

1 (12 1/2 ounces) jar caramel ice cream topping

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

DIRECTIONS1. Adjust oven rack to middle position. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 10-by-15-by-1-inch rimmed baking sheet.

2. In a food processor fitted with the metal blade, place flours, wheat germ, brown sugar, baking soda and salt; pulse to combine, about 10 seconds. Add cold butter slices; pulse until crumbly and butter is cut into dry ingredients. Do not over process, or mixture will form a dough. Dump onto prepared baking sheet. Use clean fingers to evenly press into even layer. Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 14 minutes or until evenly golden.

3. Sprinkle peanuts and chocolate chips over warm base. In a small bowl, stir together the caramel sauce and 3 tablespoons of flour; drizzle over peanuts and chips.

4. Bake in 350-degree oven for 12 to 18 minutes or until golden brown and set. Cool 1 hour or until completely cooled. Cut into bars.

Milk Chocolate and Peanut Butter Brownies

My favorite way to serve peanut butter spiked brownies is alongside vanilla ice cream that is sprinkled with peanuts.

Yield: One 9-by-13-inch pan of brownies, about 12 servings

INGREDIENTSSoft butter for greasing pan and parchment paper

8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter

1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons smooth peanut butter

1 cup coarsely chopped milk chocolate

1/2 cup dark brown sugar

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon kosher salt

4 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 2/3 cup unbleached all-purpose flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, see cook’s notes

Cook’s notes: I use semi-sweet chocolate chips because they are preferred by my grandchildren, but cookbook author Nicole Rucker calls for 72% chocolate chips, a darker chocolate with a higher cacao content. The choice is yours.

DIRECTIONS1. Adjust oven rack to middle position. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch rimmed sheet pan and line the bottom and sides with parchment paper. Set aside.

2. Place 2 sticks of butter in a small saucepan on medium heat. Stir frequently and keep an eye on it so it doesn’t brown. Meanwhile, put peanut butter and chopped chocolate in large heatproof bowl. When the butter is hot and melted, pour over peanut butter-chocolate mixture and stir to combine and melt chocolate. Set aside.

3. In the large mixing bowl of an electric stand mixer, combine brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, eggs, and vanilla. Mix on medium speed for 1 minute, until the mixture is pale in color and creamy looking. Add the melted chocolate-butter mixture. Mix at a medium speed until combined. Add the flour and cocoa powder; mix until just combined, so no dry bits of flour remain.

4. Transfer batter to prepared pan. Using a silicone spatula smooth out batter pushing batter into the corners and making it even. Tap lightly on the counter to remove any air pockets. Scatter chocolate chips on top of batter, gently pressing them down a little.

5. Bake for 10 minutes. Rotate pan and bake another 13 to 15 minutes, or until the sides are set and the center will still appear a bit unset. A toothpick inserted in center should come out with very moist crumbs.

6. Allow brownies to cool on a wire rack. They can be stored airtight at room temperature up to one week.

Source: Adapted from “Fat + Flour” by Nicole Rucker (Alfred A. Knoff)

Peanut Blossom Cookies

A milk chocolate kiss pressed into the center of these still-hot peanut butter cookies makes them pretty and delicious, too. When I want to make these cookies with my grandchildren and I discover there aren’t any Hershey’s chocolate kisses in the house, I substitute either Hershey’s nuggets or Mini Milk Chocolate peanut butter cups from Trader Joe’s.

Yield: About 3 to 4 dozen cookies

INGREDIENTS1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, room temperature

1/2 generous cup peanut butter, creamy preferred

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup dark brown sugar

1 egg

2 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

Parchment paper

Granulated sugar for rolling

9 ounces Hershey’s kisses, unwrapped

DIRECTIONS1. Adjust oven rack to middle position. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, place butter and peanut butter. Beat at a medium speed until well combined. Add sugars and beat until creamy. Add egg, milk, and vanilla; beat until well combined.

2. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt; stir with a whisk. Add the flour mixture in 3 portions to the butter mixture, beating between additions to combine.

3. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Shape dough into 1-inch balls (I do this with the aid of a small ice cream scoop). Roll the dough balls in granulated sugar to coat. Place on prepared baking sheets, about 1 1/2-inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately place an unwrapped chocolate kiss in the middle of each cookie, lightly pressing it down. The cookies may crack around the edges. Don’t worry.

Award-winning food writer Cathy Thomas has written three cookbooks, including “50 Best Plants on the Planet.” Follow her at CathyThomasCooks.com.

Trump’s previous tariff push terrified the world economy. He’s betting this time is different

By JOSH BOAK

WASHINGTON (AP) — When President Donald Trump last rolled out tariffs this high, financial markets quaked, consumer confidence crashed and his popularity plunged.

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Only three months later, he’s betting this time is different.

In his new round of tariffs being announced this week, Trump is essentially tethering the entire world economy to his instinctual belief that import taxes will deliver factory jobs and stronger growth in the U.S., rather than the inflation and slowdown predicted by many economists.

On Tuesday, he told his Cabinet that past presidents who hadn’t aggressively deployed tariffs were “stupid.” Ever the salesman, Trump added that it was “too time-consuming” to try to negotiate trade deals with the rest of the world, so it was just easier to send them letters, as he’s doing this week, that list the tariff rates on their goods.

The letters marked a change from his self-proclaimed April 2 “Liberation Day” event at the White House, where he had posterboards with the rates displayed, a choice that led to a brief market meltdown and the 90-day negotiating period with baseline 10% tariffs that will end Wednesday. Trump, instead, chose to send form letters with random capitalizations and punctuation and other formatting issues.

“It’s a better way,” Trump said of his letters. “It’s a more powerful way. And we send them a letter. You read the letter. I think it was well crafted. And, mostly it’s just a little number in there: You’ll pay 25%, 35%. We have some of at 60, 70.”

When Trump said those words, he had yet to issue a letter with a tariff rate higher than 40%, which he levied Monday on Laos and Myanmar. He plans to put 25% tariffs on Japan and South Korea, two major trading partners and allies deemed crucial for curbing China’s economic influence. Leaders of the 14 countries tariffed so far hope to negotiate over the next three weeks before the higher rates are charged on imports.

“I would say that every case I’m treating them better than they treated us over the years,” Trump said.

Three possible outcomes

His approach is at odds with how major trade agreements have been produced over the last half-century, detailed sessions that could sometimes take years to solve complex differences between nations.

There are three possible outcomes to this political and economic wager, each of which could drastically reshape international affairs and Trump’s legacy.

Trump could prove most economic experts wrong and the tariffs could deliver growth as promised. Or he could retreat again on tariffs before their Aug. 1 start in a repeat of the “Trump Always Chickens Out” phenomenon, also known as TACO. Or he could damage the economy in ways that could boomerang against the communities that helped return him to the White House last year, as well as hurt countries that are put at a financial disadvantage by the tariffs.

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said Trump’s letters had “extended his tariff purgatory for another month,” essentially freezing in place the U.S. economy as CEOs, foreign leaders and consumers are unclear of Trump’s actual strategy on foreign trade.

“The TACO negotiating tactic pioneered by Trump is making his threats less and less credible and reducing our trading partners’ willingness to even meet us halfway,” Wyden said. “There’s no sign that he’s any closer to striking durable trade deals that would actually help American workers and businesses.”

So far, the stock and bond markets are relatively calm, with the S&P 500 stock index essentially flat Tuesday after a Monday decline. Trump is coming off a legislative win with his multitrillion-dollar income tax cuts. And he’s confidently levying tariffs at levels that previously rocked global markets, buoyed by the fact that inflation has eased so far instead of accelerating as many economists and Democratic rivals had warned.

“By floating tariffs as high as 40% to even 100%, the administration has ‘normalized’ the 25% tariff hikes — yet this is still one of the most aggressive and disruptive tariff moves in modern history,” said Wendong Zhang, an economist at Cornell University. “This gradual unveiling, paradoxically, risks normalizing what would otherwise be considered exceptionally large tariff hikes.”

Others simply see Trump as a source of nonstop chaos, with the letters and their somewhat random tariff rates showing the absence of a genuine policy process inside his administration.

“It’s really just a validation that this policy is all over the place, that they’re running this by the seat of their pants, that there is no real strategy,” said Desmond Lachman, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a right-leaning think tank.

Questions about how much money tariffs will generate

With Trump’s 90-day tariff negotiation period ending, he has so far sent letters to 14 countries that place taxes on imported goods ranging from 25% to 40%. He said he would sign an order Tuesday to place 50% tariffs on copper and said at the Cabinet meeting that at some point pharmaceutical drugs could face tariffs of as much as 200%. All of that is on top of his existing 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum, 25% tariffs on autos and his separate import taxes on Canada, Mexico and China.

“The obvious inference is that markets for now are somewhat skeptical that Trump will go through with it, or alternatively they think compromises will be reached,” said Ben May, a director of global economic research at the consultancy Oxford Economics. “That’s probably the key element.”

May said the tariffs are likely to reduce the growth in U.S. household incomes, but not cause those incomes to shrink outright.

Trump has said his tariffs would close U.S. trade imbalances, though it’s unclear why he would target nations such as Tunisia that do relatively little trade with America. Administration officials say trillions of dollars in tariff revenues over the next decade would help offset the revenue losses from the continuation and expansion of his 2017 tax cuts that were signed into law Friday.

The federal government has collected $98.2 billion in tariff revenues so far this year, more than double what it collected last year, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center.

At Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the tariff revenues could be “well over $300 billion by the end of the year.” Bessent added that “we don’t agree” with the Congressional Budget Office estimate that tariffs would bring in $2.8 trillion over 10 years, “which we think is probably low.”

The governments of Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and South Africa have each said they hope for further negotiations on tariffs with Trump, though it’s unclear how that’s possible as Trump has said it would be too “complicated” to hold all those meetings.

Instead on Tuesday, Trump posted on social media that the tariffs would be charged as scheduled starting Aug. 1.

“There has been no change to this date, and there will be no change,” Trump said on Truth Social. “No extensions will be granted. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

Savory-spicy peanut dressing complements tomato’s sweetness

By Christopher Kimball | Milk Street

This robustly seasoned, almost meaty tomato salad was inspired by Mexican salsa macha, a savory-spicy condiment made with dried chilies, garlic, nuts and seeds that are fried in oil, then pureed.

In this recipe from our cookbook ” Milk Street 365: The All-Purpose Cookbook for Every Day of the Year,” we skip the blender and deconstruct the salsa, adding the ingredients directly to the salad — the fried peanuts and sesame seeds add texture that contrasts beautifully against meaty tomatoes.

For an especially colorful salad, use heirloom tomatoes of different hues. You also can combine tomato varieties and sizes for more varied texture and appearance. Salting the tomatoes and letting them stand deepens their flavor and softens them slightly for extra succulence and juiciness. Halve any smaller tomatoes, like grape or cherry, so the salt can season the flesh.

When toasting the peanuts and sesame seeds, be sure to use a neutral oil such as grapeseed. Extra-virgin olive oil will lose its flavor when heated to the temperature needed to fry the peanuts. And when salting the tomatoes, kosher salt is best. The large granules distribute more evenly and won’t clump the way table salt can when tossed with moist ingredients.

Tomato Salad with Peanuts, Cilantro and Chipotle-Sesame Dressing

Start to finish: 35 minutesServings: 4 to 6

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons neutral oil¼ cup roasted peanuts2 tablespoons sesame seeds OR 1 medium garlic clove, thinly sliced OR both1 chipotle chili in adobo sauce, minced, plus 1 teaspoon adobo sauce3 tablespoons cider vinegarKosher salt and ground black pepper2 pounds ripe tomatoes, cored and cut into ½-inch wedges (see headnote)1½ cups lightly packed fresh cilantro OR basil OR flat-leaf parsley OR a combination, torn if large

Directions:

In a small saucepan over medium, combine the oil and peanuts. Cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and browned, 4 to 6 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the peanuts to a paper towel-lined plate.

To the same saucepan over medium, add the sesame seeds. Cook, stirring, until lightly golden, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, then stir in the chipotle and adobo sauce, vinegar and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Cool to room temperature. Meanwhile, in a serving bowl, toss the tomatoes with ½ teaspoon salt; let stand for about 10 minutes. Chop the peanuts.

Spoon the chipotle-sesame mixture over the tomatoes. Add the cilantro and peanuts, then stir gently. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

Optional garnish: Flaky salt or crumbled cotija cheese or both.

EDITOR’S NOTE: For more recipes, go to Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street at 177milkstreet.com/ap

Referendum stalls Pacific Grove council pay raises, pending signature review

PACIFIC GROVE — An ordinance granting the Pacific Grove City Council members their first pay raise in more than 25 years has been suspended after a referendum petition was filed.

Former council member Luke Coletti formally submitted the petition to challenge Ordinance 25-007 on July 1, which would increase monthly compensation for the mayor from $700 to $1,610 and for city councilmembers from $420 to $966. The Monterey County Registrar of Voters is now reviewing the signatures to verify whether the petition meets the 10 percent threshold of registered voters needed to place the matter on the ballot.

City Manager Matthew Mogensen confirmed that the filing of the petition immediately suspended the ordinance under state law.

“The Registrar of Voters is currently reviewing the signatures filed for the referendum,” Mogensen said in an email. “They have 30 days to verify signatures. The filing of the petition on July 1 suspended the ordinance at this point.”

Coletti, who now leads the advocacy group Transparent Pacific Grove, argues the council should have submitted the salary increase to voters, especially given the city’s financial outlook. At an April meeting, the council was presented with a report showing a $55 million unfunded pension liability, rising insurance costs, and projected budget deficits.

The pay raise was approved by the City Council on May 21 without voter input. State law allows city council pay to be increased by up to 5 percent annually since the last raise in cities with a population of less than 35,000.

The referendum criticizes the move as self-serving and poorly timed and claims the city used its authority to bypass the standard state limitation that prevents raises from taking effect until after the next election.

If the petition signatures are validated, the referendum will place the salary ordinance on a future ballot, giving voters the final say.

Caltrans celebrates new Castroville sign, start of rehabilitation project

CASTROVILLE – Caltrans will be marking the start of a rehabilitation project and the replacement of a decades-old landmark in this tiny unincorporated town on the Central Coast this week with a groundbreaking and ribbon cutting.

The Highway 183/Merritt Street and Castroville Arch Sign Improvement Projects event is scheduled for Thursday at the intersection of Preston and Merritt streets in the center of Castroville at 10 a.m.

“The event Thursday is both a groundbreaking ceremony for the beginning of the State Route 183 Rehabilitation Project and a chance to celebrate the completion of the Castroville Overhead Arch Project,” said Caltrans District 5 spokesperson Kevin Drabinski.

The replacement of the “Artichoke Center of the World” sign marks the completion of a Caltrans Clean California Beautification project in downtown Castroville at the intersection of Highway 183 – Merritt Street – and Preston Street, said Drabinski.

The $488,000 project to replace the Castroville sign was made possible by Gov. Newsom’s Clean California program led by Caltrans. The California Beautification program started in 2021 and is a $1.2 billion multiyear initiative aimed at removing trash, improving community aesthetics, engaging underserved communitiesand creating thousands of job opportunities across California.

The sign structure was first installed over Merritt Street – Highway 183 – in the mid-1930s, coinciding with the realignment of Highways 1 and 156 through Castroville.

Another Clean California Beautification project in Castroville has recently revitalized the Highway 156 Geil Street Pedestrian Overcrossing with colorful new murals, landscaping and safety improvements for pedestrians and bicyclists. The project cost $940,000 and a celebration is anticipated this fall.

Beside the Beautification projects, Castroville is also seeing Caltrans currently performing road and sidewalk work associated with the State Route (Highway) 183 – Merritt Street – Improvement Project.

“The State Route 183 project will rehabilitate the pavement on Merritt Street, address essential bridge maintenance needs and improve multimodal features, including transit stops, sidewalks, driveways and curb ramps,” said Drabinski. “The project will also install new Intelligent Transportation System features and improve aesthetics, bicycle network continuity, and pedestrian safety. This project is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.”

Some of the specifics of the rehabilitation project include pavement improvements for ride quality and to prevent further deterioration through cold planing and asphalt overlay. The maintenance needs of the Highway 183 bridge over Highway 156 will be addressed through concrete spall repair, and deck and crack sealing to prevent water intrusion into existing cracks. At the existing shared through and right-turn lane on northbound Highway 183 (Merritt Street) to the eastbound Highway 156 on-ramp the outside shoulders would be widened and striped splitter islands at select locations on Merritt Street between Salinas and Haro streets as well as tapers on Merritt Street between Crane and Preston streets will be constructed.

The project work also includes replacing existing traffic census stations with upgraded systems and installing a closed-circuit television camera at the Highway 183 (Merritt Street) and Highway 156 interchange to improve data collection and reliability of real-time traffic data for traffic management.

(Caltrans)

Highway 183 (Merritt Street) is a conventional highway that serves as the “Main Street” through Castroville. The narrow right-of-way in this older, suburban setting makes it necessary to acquire permanent right-of-way to complete sidewalk curb ramp, and minor operational improvements, and to obtain temporary construction easements for transitions or tie-ins on nearby property. Approximately 82 parcels would be impacted.

Estimated funding for the project by the state is $38 million with $20.6 million estimated for the cost of construction.

Caltrans has worked in partnership with the Transportation Agency for Monterey County, Monterey-Salinas Transit, Monterey County, Castroville Community Services District, and North County Recreation and Park Department to coordinate and develop the scope of this project.

Construction for this project is estimated to be completed in the 2027-2028 winter season.

Horoscopes July 8, 2025: Kevin Bacon, put your energy to work for you

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Sophia Bush, 43; Milo Ventimiglia, 48; Kevin Bacon, 67; Anjelica Huston, 74.

Happy Birthday: Put your energy to work for you. Participation will lead to friendships and expanding your infrastructure to suit your needs. You are overdue for a change that can pump excitement into your life and give you something to look forward to each day. Put negativity behind you and look for opportunities that allow you to use your skills to their fullest. Stop dreaming and start doing, and something good will transpire. Your numbers are 2, 16, 27, 29, 31, 35, 48.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Tally up what things cost and how to handle mismanaged funds or joint ventures. Time is of the essence, and acting quickly will help you regain control. When uncertainty sets in, ask an expert and initiate change to avoid loss. Think on your feet and do what’s necessary, and you’ll gain respect. 5 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Do it yourself. Signing up for something or bingeing on something unnecessary will tempt you. Focus more on saving time and money, not casting your fate to the wind and letting things spin out of control. Look at the big picture, consider what’s essential to reach your goal and eliminate what’s disposable. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): An unexpected change will benefit you. Watch closely what’s happening behind the scenes, and you’ll know precisely when and how to act. What you learn will help you tremendously as you navigate your way forward. Don’t let emotions interfere with your plans. Look, see and do what needs your attention. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Embrace a challenge without revealing your next move. A secretive approach will give you the leverage you require to get things done your way. Timing is everything when dealing with money, medical issues and negotiations. Set your sights on your endgame, and don’t make pit stops. Own the floor instead of sharing. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Find events and activities that take your mind off your troubles but respect your budget. Distancing yourself from life aggravations will help you put a unique spin on how to resolve lingering issues. Digging into alternatives, talking to experts and redesigning the landscape of your desires will lead to gratification and victory. 5 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Window shop, but don’t go into the store. Keep your money somewhere safe and unattainable until you have your emotions under control and your practicality back on track. It’s time to rethink your lifestyle, consider what’s essential and discard what’s taking up space mentally, physically and emotionally. Sell off items taking up space. 2 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Hands-on learning is the best; it will change your perspective, direction and dreams. A move will enlighten and encourage a better lifestyle and new connections that could make a difference moving forward. Refuse to let anyone pressure you into making a choice that is better for them than it is for you. 4 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Research and plan before you try to navigate your way forward. Preparation is everything when dealing with relationships, making deals and budgeting for what you want. Put your energy where it counts and manufacture opportunities that will pay off both physically and financially. Lay the foundation that offers longevity, stability and equality. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Apply your energy to something worthwhile. If you let tension build, you will waste your breath and time fighting a no-win situation. Instead, consider how you can physically enforce positive change that encourages those in your camp to support your efforts, giving you the momentum to reach goals that benefit everyone. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Problems with family, friends and neighbors will arise if you overstep your bounds or someone tries to pressure or limit you. Use your energy wisely, ponder the logistics of your actions and proceed with dignity and gain ground. It’s all in the way you handle others; diplomacy is everything. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Stick close to home. Size up your situation and schedule, while considering how to run your life efficiently. Look for innovative ways to grow your money and manifest a low-stress and gratifying world. Investing in your skills, homestead and ability to balance work and play is within reach. Romance is favored. 4 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Keep situations in perspective. Maintaining a calm state of mind and an easygoing outlook will help. Refuse to let what others do or say fuel the fire within. If you need to release tension, do something physical. A competitive sport or trying to beat your record will help offset anxiety and frustration. 2 stars

Birthday Baby: You are influential, challenging and ambitious. You are confident and caring.

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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