Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 91

Pro Soccer: Union fall to Oakland in USL Jagermeister Cup

OAKLAND — Redemption from a former pupil Saturday cut into Monterey Bay FC’s bid to remain undefeated in the Jagermeister Cup.

Morey Doner’s goal in the 58th minute provided insurance as the Oakland Roots avenged an earlier season loss to their Northern California rivals after a 2-1 win over the Union at the Oakland Coliseum.

Monterey Bay FC came into the United Soccer League Jagermeister Cup 2-0 in Round 3 of the tournament, and was sitting at the top of the group table with two other opponents. It has one more match remaining on July 26.

The Union will return to USL Championship play next Saturday when they travel to Indianapolis to face Indy Eleven. They have not won a road match in USL play since beating Orange County on March 22.

Having dropped their last two USL matches — and three straight overall, the Union sit in sixth place in the Western Conference with 19 points at 5-6-4. The franchise, however, is just two points out of a top three position.

Doner, who spent three seasons with the Union, scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in the second half, staking the Roots to a 2-0 cushion.

Earlier this year, Monterey Bay FC beat Oakland 3-2 at Cardinale Stadium. It has gone 1-5-3 in their last nine USL games, having gone 1-4-0 against the five teams ranked ahead of them in the Western Conference to date.

The Union adverted being shut out for the seventh time this year in the 86th minute, went Luke Ivanovic scored to cut the deficit to 2-1 late in the match.

The two teams will meet one more time in USL play on August 30, again at the coliseum, the former home of the Oakland Athletics and Raiders.

When Monterey Bay FC returns to USL play, goalie Nico Campuzano continues to lead the league in saves with 52 between the pipes, while Ilijah Paul and Mayele Malango are among the team leaders in goals and points on the pitch.

Hundreds come out to celebrate Pride in Monterey

MONTEREY — Hundreds of people flooded downtown Monterey on Saturday to witness the Monterey Peninsula Pride Parade and celebration at Custom House Plaza.

The parade began at the newly created rainbow crosswalk  at Alvarado and Pearl streets and ended at Custom House Plaza.

Several local politicians were in attendance and spoke to the crowd, including Monterey Mayor Tyller Williamson, County Supervisor Wendy Root Askew, State Senator John Laird and State Assembly member Dawn Addis.

Hundreds showed up at Saturday's celebration of Pride in Monterey's Custom House Plaza on Saturday. (Andrea Valadez -- Monterey Herald)Hundreds showed up at Saturday's celebration of Pride in Monterey's Custom House Plaza on Saturday. (Andrea Valadez -- Monterey Herald)Show Caption1 of 2Hundreds showed up at Saturday's celebration of Pride in Monterey's Custom House Plaza on Saturday. (Andrea Valadez -- Monterey Herald)Expand

For more on this story see Monday’s Monterey Herald.

 

SF Giants waste Robbie Ray’s gem, lose to White Sox

The Giants continue to tread water in the National League West, falling 1-0 on the road Saturday to the Chicago White Sox with the bats mostly staying silent in the 11 games since the trade for designated hitter Rafael Devers.

An excellent outing by starting pitcher Robbie Ray went for naught with the Giants getting handcuffed by Chicago starter Adrian Houser and rookie reliever Grant Taylor.

The Giants, hopeful of rectifying a 3-6 homestand with a potentially favorable road trip to Chicago, Arizona and Sacramento, fell to 45-38 after winning the series opener Friday night. Chicago, which has nine rookies on the roster and could have its third straight season of 100 or more losses, is 26-57.

Andrew Benintendi drove in the lone run for Chicago with a wall-scraping solo home run in the sixth inning against Ray, his 10th of the season.

“Made a mistake, the guy hits a home run,” Ray told reporters afterward. “Solo home runs usually don’t beat you. Today it did.”

Ray (8-3) got the last out of the inning and was done for the day, giving up one run on four hits with two walks and six strikeouts. The left-hander threw 101 pitches, 64 of them strikes.

“It was a typical Robbie game,” Giants manager Bob Melvin told reporters. “He gave up a home run to a left-handed hitter, but that shouldn’t beat you when you pitch like that.”

Houser (3-2), who threw seven innings for the first time since 2023 when he was with the Milwaukee Brewers, gave up four hits with a walk and five strikeouts. He threw just 88 pitches, 62 for strikes. Houser was replaced in the eighth inning by Taylor, who worked the last two innings for his second save. Taylor retired all six batters he faced.

A.P. PhotoChicago right fielder and former Giant Austin Slater leaps to take an extra-base bid from outfielder Jung Hoo Lee in the second inning.

Devers finished 0-for-4 and struck out twice. He is hitting .227 (10-for-44) in 10 games with two home runs and five RBIs since joining the Giants.

The Giants did next to nothing until the sixth inning when No. 9 hitter Brett Wisely singled, then leadoff batter Christian Koss also hit a single.

Houser worked the count to 0-2 on Devers, then balked the runners to second and third. Then disaster struck. Houser struck out Devers, with catcher Edwin Quero picking off Wisely off third base on strike three. It’s the latest in a rash of Giants’ baserunning errors which contributed to their 3-6 homestand.

Houser retired Ramos on a fly to center for the third out, capping an inning where the Giants had runners at second and third with their best hitters coming to the plate, and ending up with nothing to show for it. They got only two runners in scoring position over the course of the game and didn’t get a hit.

“I mean, we’re trying to be aggressive and do some things to score some runs,” Melvin said. “In this case, it backfired.”

Ray looked at it as the key play of the game.

“That’s a tough situation, getting the strikeout and thrown out at third base on a back pick like that,” Ray said. “Got a great hitter in Ramos coming up and if he hits a fly out to center, it’s a sac fly. It did feel like a momentum shift for sure.”

The White Sox failed to add another run in the seventh against Erik Miller when Michael A. Taylor narrowly missed a home run that bounced off the top of the fence. Taylor then was called out at the plate on a single by Josh Rojas when he failed to touch home plate. Catcher Andrew Knizner alertly applied the tag after a strong throw from Mike Yastrzemski.

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NOTES

— Former Giants outfielder Austin Slater robbed Jung Hoo Lee of extra bases with a leaping catch in right field for the third out of the second inning. Lee came in hitting just .125 (7-for-56) with two RBIs in his previous 16 games.

Lee countered with a sliding catch of his own in center field to take extra bases from Josh Rojas with a runner on third.

— Justin Verlander (0-5) is still in search of his first win as a Giant and 263rd of his career as the Giants close out the series Sunday in Chicago.

— The Giants fell to 19-16 in games decided by one run.

Will California scale back its core environmental protection law to build more housing?

California lawmakers are set to vote Monday on two controversial bills that would scale back the state’s signature environmental protection law, which a growing chorus of critics blame for blocking desperately needed housing and infrastructure projects.

Bay Area Democrats, Assemblymember Buffy Wicks and state Sen. Scott Wiener, are driving the push for reform. One of the bills would exempt most apartment construction in urban areas from the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, meaning such projects would no longer be subject to the state’s often lengthy and expensive environmental review process.

The other bill would extend CEQA exemptions to a host of other types of projects, including farmworker housing, high-speed rail stations, advanced manufacturing facilities and certain sewer systems.

If approved, Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has demanded that lawmakers reform the state’s environmental regulations, said he would sign them into law. The bills are tied to the state’s $321 billion budget, which Newsom signed Friday.

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“It’s critical that we address the issue of the lack of supply and affordability of housing in the state of California,” Newsom said in a news conference Friday. “We’ve got to get out of our damn way. It’s code red for this state.”

Construction worker unions and environmentalists had fiercely opposed both bills. But a last-minute deal with the politically powerful unions over wage standards may have cleared the way for lawmakers to pass the housing bill.

The fate of the broader CEQA exemption bill may be less certain. Much of the language in the bill was written this week, and environmentalists accuse bill supporters of rushing the proposal through in backroom deals.

As a condition of approving the final state budget, Newsom struck an agreement with lawmakers that requires them to pass that bill before the new fiscal year starts on Tuesday. If they fail to do so, the entire budget could be invalidated.

That could set up a potential showdown ahead of the vote as the budget deadline rapidly approaches.

“The California Environment Quality Act is designed to provide transparency to the public about potentially harmful development in their communities, and the Governor and other state leaders are literally dismantling the law in the least transparent way possible,” Raquel Mason, senior legislative manager with the California Environmental Justice Alliance, said in a statement.

The bills come as some Democrats have grown increasingly frustrated with CEQA in recent years. They argue that what was initially a well-intended law has been weaponized by environmentalists, labor unions, neighborhood groups and others to sue or threaten litigation, extracting costly concessions from developers and stalling projects.

Ezra Klein, an influential New York Times columnist and self-described liberal, has taken particular aim at CEQA in his recently published book, “Abundance.” He’s become a prominent voice making the case for overhauling the law to solve California’s housing shortage and complete ambitious infrastructure projects, such as the state’s long-delayed high-speed rail line.

Environmentalists and community groups say attacks on CEQA are overblown, maintaining the law is essential to preserving natural habitats and protecting public health. It requires state and local agencies to study the impacts of large development proposals and ensure that plans address a range of potential impacts on everything from air quality and water supply to traffic and scenic views.

Housing advocates counter that the CEQA exemption bill for housing is smart environmental policy because it would encourage multifamily development, which uses proportionally less energy than single-family homes, and incentivize building apartments, condos and townhomes in job centers and near transit, in turn reducing commute times and vehicle emissions.

A construction site near downtown San Jose, Calif., on Thursday, June 26, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)

“California is finally aligning our environmental laws with our climate and housing goals,” Brian Hanlon, chief executive of the pro-housing group California YIMBY, said in a statement.

To get the bill over the finish line, housing advocates will likely need to win the support of the construction unions, which make enormous political contributions to lawmakers.

In recent years, unions have successfully sought to require developers seeking to take advantage of state laws to speed up homebuilding to pay workers “prevailing wages,” which in some parts of the state exceed $60 an hour before benefits. The unions contend such requirements are necessary to support an essential workforce, but developers say they often make it too costly to build.

Supporters of the CEQA bill pushed for a new wage framework for the proposed law, ultimately striking a deal with union leaders, housing advocates said. The new bill would only require developers using the CEQA exemption to pay prevailing wages on projects that are at least 85 feet tall — about seven stories — or 100% affordable developments. Other projects would have more flexibility in their pay scale.

Dan Dunmoyer, president of the California Building Industry Association, supports the bill and said the wage deal is workable.

“That seems to be a fair compromise,” he said.

Herald Hero winner: Marina community has a big booster in Erica Graham

MARINA — Erica Graham’s love and dedication extends much further than her own family. At 46 years old, she has become a cornerstone of the Marina community, while also furthering her education at Cal State Monterey Bay and running a business with her husband.

Her contributions to the community have earned her the Herald Hero award, given to the person among many who local citizens nominated as “unsung heroes.”

“I’m pretty surprised,” she said. “I saw some other really great people in our communities, some other great leaders. So it’s so exciting that I was chosen.”

In addition to the title, Graham will be awarded $500, which she plans to put right back into the community.

Herald Heroes (Arianna Nalbach - Monterey Herald)

“We have lots of stuff coming up the pipe that we need funding for with the (Marina) high school stadium almost done. There’s a lot of stuff that I’m hoping to do,” she said.

Graham, a mother of eight, has been involved with the high school since a bit before her oldest son started attending in 2014, and has watched the school, which opened in 2006, transform.

“Back then, it was still very much an elementary school with a lot of elementary school components … The fields were just bumpy dirt lots and it used to kind of be Marina High’s thing. Like if they can survive playing on those fields, they can play anywhere.

“We were very resilient. We’ve always been very resilient at Marina High School,” she said.

As the stadium nears completion, she said teams are working hard to get the snack bar and bathrooms installed as quickly as possible. She is excited for what it means for both the high schoolers and the surrounding community.

“It’s just going to be huge for our community. It’s a gathering place,” Graham said. “People don’t realize that youth sports is not just about the youth. It really does build on the community. You get the kids that come out, their parents, their grandparents come to watch and support.”

Graham formally ran the Parent Teacher Student Association at Marina High, but there is a limit on how long someone can serve. Currently, she runs the Booster Club that supports the school’s sports programs.

“I’m looking to start another nonprofit, that’s the support group for everything not athletics,” she said. “College visits, all of that will fall under this organization … It just takes a little like startup funding to get all the paperwork filled out and processed and whatnot.”

Additionally, she mentioned the school is working on filling out a new snack bar that will come soon after the stadium opens and working on “all those small projects that add up to be a lot.”

Graham has always been a hard worker. She graduated high school early at 16 and jumped straight into working at the grocery store, which eventually got her into the restaurant business.

She started as a bagger at the grocery store, but worked up to management and did something similar when working in restaurants.

“I’ve worked quite a bit in the area and tried to gain as many skills as I could. I love a good challenge,” she said. “I’ve kind of ventured out and tried to do as much as I could. I’ve worked in some construction, I’ve worked in the retail industry, I’ve tried to do it all.”

In 2012, she and her husband, a seaweed biologist at San Jose State, started their own seaweed business to supply restaurants based in Moss Landing.

“We had a crazy project that kind of also involved the high school back then because there’s an invasive species that’s out in the harbor. So we were trying to clean up and eradicate that invasive species and also get it into the culinary program and get these kids cooking it because it’s actually a seaweed that a lot of people eat,” she explained. “It’s the largest seaweed company in the United States.”

Between balancing a family life, volunteering and her business, Graham is also entering her final year at Cal State Monterey Bay, where she is studying business administration with a concentration in entrepreneurship. She’s on the Dean’s List.

Graham said her older kids have established themselves all over. Her eldest son and his wife are in the military living in Nebraska and her youngest adult son is living locally working at the seaweed farm. Graham has daughters are living in Arizona and Southern California and her youngest daughter started college last year and will likely be moving to Sacramento or somewhere in Washington for a degree in mortuary science.

“It gives us a little bit of opportunity to travel out and see them,” she said. “They’re very excited and very established in what they’re doing, so I think for the most part, we just get to look forward to seeing them on holidays and breaks and going to see them where they’re at. They’re well on their way to just be productive, active adults.”

With term limits in place for the PTSA and Graham’s kids working their way through school, Graham and her husband have begun to pass the leadership torch.

“My husband and I ran the baseball program for many years. We ran the soccer program here in Marina, and then we got to pass that off to amazing groups of people,” she said. “We’ve been able to come back into some of these programs now that we have our little guys playing and we’ve been able to enjoy it as coaches and parents.

“It’s been a lot of fun reestablishing that environment where we can coach and we can have these little groups of family friends and that sort of thing. We’re trying to enjoy that part.”

Erica Graham has a tattoo on her forearm for all of her kids. (Arianna Nalbach - Monterey Herald)

Graham has continued to work to get kids – not just her own – involved with volunteering.

“Volunteerism is really tough to rally. We’re trying to get the kids to see the value of volunteering in the community and we’re trying to build in opportunities for them,” she said.

Graham said a lot of kids have realized volunteering is fun and love volunteering at events in the area. Alumni have even returned to help volunteer with football games, firework booths and events that help get the school donations.

“We’re trying to help the kids see that that’s valuable. Many of them do come back and volunteer for us. It’s great for us to see because it means it is making the impact that we’re hoping for.”

Graham hopes to see more parents involved as well.

“We’re hoping more (parents) come and respond to that ask for help. … It builds the activities and the leagues and the programs. … It’s only whatever we put into it,” she said.

Within the next five or so years, Graham is also interested in getting into education. She said she is looking into doing something that works in her business degree and potentially a Career and Technical Education program or something at the high school level.

She said they are also in the process of building their second seaweed farm in Cayucas.

“That’s probably going to be another big boom in our life that’s going to have another big jump of activity and time consumption,” she said. “I’m not too sure where that’s going to be in five years, but I’m pretty sure if it does anything like our current seaweed farm, we’re going to be busy.”

After finishing her own schooling and getting all her kids through school, Graham is looking into traveling more.

“I want to continue to explore the big world. So once they’re all done and they’re all set, traveling is definitely on our list. We want to make sure we just keep moving and explore as much as we can until we can’t, until our bodies tell us that it’s time to relax and settle down.”

While Graham wants to travel the world, she plans to keep her permanent residence in Marina.

“I don’t think we can ever leave this area because it really does kind of hold our hearts. We’re really vested in the community and seeing the growth and the change, especially with what’s happening in our parks in the area, the new communities coming in.”

Graham hopes to see more people look into the community, find something within it that makes them happy and put a couple hours into volunteering.

“There’s always a need for somebody to lend a hand,” Graham said. “Of course, we all just do a small part of it, it really does make such a big difference in our communities and in people’s lives. Everyone needs a little help every now and then.”

Editor’s note: Nominations for the Herald Hero came from the community. The winner was selected by Staff Writer Arianna Nalbach, Managing Editor David Kellogg and community members Carol McKibben and Lewis Leader. 

Liza Horvath, Senior Advocate: Warnings from readers

Question: My mom got an official looking letter from “Property Records.” They offered to provide my mom with a property profile on her home for the cost of $127. She had just transferred the title of her house to her trust and she thought she needed to get this property profile to evidence the transfer. I intervened and just called her attorney for confirmation. Can you warn your readers about this kind of scam?

Answer: Yes and, readers, consider yourselves warned. This kind of solicitation often follows on the heels of a property title transfer and while the company you mention will provide information on your property title, you do not need to spend the extra money to evidence the transfer. As mentioned, this evidence can and should be provided to you by the attorney who assisted you in the transfer.

While on the topic of transfers of real estate to trusts, let me again warn you that when you transfer title to your trust, you must inform your homeowner insurance carrier of the transfer. Californians have recently had the experience of an insurance carrier refusing to cover damage to a home because the homeowner had transferred title to his trust and had not notified his carrier of the transfer. It is a small inconvenience to make the call to your insurance agent, but well worth the time and effort.

Question: My aunt died in December, and my father was the beneficiary of her life insurance policy. Unfortunately, my father died two months after my aunt. Dad was diligent in setting up a trust and we felt that taking care of his estate through the trust would be smooth sailing. However, because my aunt named my dad and not his trust as the beneficiary of her life insurance policy, we now need to do a probate just to claim the death benefit on Auntie’s insurance policy. While the benefit is considerable, the probate is, in my opinion, a waste of time and money. Is there a way to avoid this kind of thing from happening?

Answer: My condolences for your loss. Unfortunately, this scenario with life insurance happens fairly often. An unintended probate can also be needed if your Auntie named your father as a beneficiary of her estate. These situations are difficult to avoid. If your father knew that Auntie named him beneficiary of her life insurance, he could have asked her to change the beneficiary to his trust, instead of to him, individually. This would avoid a probate. Also, most trusts include a schedule of assets that are to be governed by the trust. If your father had added to the schedule “death benefits for any life insurance policy of which I am the named beneficiary,” a full probate may have been avoided. I say “may have been avoided” because the court would have the last word on whether a full probate is needed or a shortened court action, known as a Heggstad petition, could be used.

Question: Both my mom and dad suffered from dementia at the end. When mom passed, dad would “forget” she was gone and each time we reminded him, he would cry and grieve all over again. Finally, we kids decided to just say “Mom is at the doctor’s office.” He would soon forget he’d asked but we bypassed his repeated experience of loss. We felt bad about lying but also felt it was the best thing.

Answer: In this situation, your “lie” was the most compassionate response. What a sad and difficult position to be put in and I commend your kindness.

Liza Horvath has over 30 years of experience in the estate planning and trust fields and is the president of Monterey Trust Management, a financial and trust Management Company. This is not intended to be legal or tax advice. If you have a question call (831) 646-5262 or email liza@montereytrust.com

College athletics: Teresa to retire as Hartnell’s athletic director

SALINAS – He arrived on the Hartnell College campus in 1981 as a blue-chip baseball player, who moonlighted in the fall as the football team’s quarterback.

Danny Teresa might argue that his legacy on campus started in 1962 when he came into the world, while his father Tony was a coach and an iconic figure on the Panther campus.

“I’ve been around here for a while,” Teresa said. “I used to run around here as a kid. Hartnell has been a part of my heart. I will miss the hustle. But I’ll carry the memories.”

Having been a part of the faculty for the last 35 years – the last 16 as the school’s athletic director, Teresa announced his retirement at the end of this month.

“It’s just time,” the 62-year-old Teresa said. “You can feel it. It’s not the end of my involvement. Just a new chapter. It’s been a great ride. I’ll just be in the stands now.”

Danny Teresa, right, and former Hartnell athletic director and football coach Marv Grim. (Courtesy photo)

Ivan Guerrero, who has spent the last 15 years as the Hartnell women’s soccer coach, will take Teresa’s spot on an interim basis for the upcoming season.

“He believed in what we were doing even though it might have been what he wasn’t used to,” Guerrero said. “The culture he built in the athletic department is like a big family. He had an open-door policy. He never micromanaged. He trusted each of us to do our job.”

Teresa has been a big influence in reshaping the Panthers’ athletic department, improving most of the facilities on the campus, while bringing back men’s and women’s swimming and adding women’s beach volleyball.

“I had a goal and a vision of what I wanted this department to be,” Teresa said. “I had a passion to lead it in the right direction. I feel as a department, we’ve accomplished a lot in 16 years.”

Teresa leaned heavily on the likes of former athletic directors Marv Grim and Alex Golomeic for direction, not afraid to seek out advice.

“Both were my mentors and instrumental in the direction of the department,” Teresa said. “My dad actually groomed Alex as a coach when he arrived in 1970s. It was like a full-circle moment.”

While Teresa has been around the campus his entire life, his impact as an athlete began in 1981, quarterbacking Hartnell to a Coast Conference football title.

Playing under his father in baseball, Teresa earned a scholarship to Michigan as a second baseman, where one of his teammates was future 12-time all-star shortstop Barry Larkin.

“Baseball and football were both my passions,” Teresa said. “My body, though, was getting beat up in football. I just felt I had a better chance to last longer in baseball.”

Teresa left Michigan when his father became ill, and was prepared to give up the sport until his dad convinced him to play his final season.

“I came home thinking that’s it,” Teresa said. “But dad wanted me to play one more year. So I did and pursued my teaching credential, with aspirations of becoming a coach.”

Teresa started his coaching career at his alma mater at North Salinas, before returning to his roots at Hartnell as their baseball coach and assistant football coach.

“Marv Grim pushed me to apply for the baseball job,” Teresa said. “Back then you coached two sports. I did that for 19 years.”

Feeling a need for a change, Teresa took the athletic director position on an interim basis in 2009 and spent the past 16 years running the athletic program.

“I was ready for a change after 25 years of coaching,” Teresa said. “I wanted a new challenge. It came along at the right time. It’s been a dream job. I haven’t worked a day in my life.”

During Teresa’s tenure, the baseball and softball fields have been reconstructed with turf fields, the track has been redone, along with a new maroon and gold turf practice facility for football and all grass soccer fields.

Both of the school’s gymnasiums are set to be remodeled next year, while Hartnell has one of the nicest Olympic-sized pools in California.

“Our facilities are state of the art,” Teresa said. “We have 15 sports, 315 student-athletes and three full-time athletic trainers.”

What Teresa seemed most proud of is the 90 percent ratio of athletes returning for their second year at Hartnell, as well as an 85 percent graduation rate among student-athletes.

“When you’re graduating 85 percent of student-athletes, you feel proud,” Teresa said. “It takes a village. If you hire the right people, you let your coaches flourish. You support them and enjoy the ride.”

Hartnell has had a massive run of success in women’s sports over the last decade, bringing home a state women’s soccer title in 2021 and four straight Northern California track and field championships between 2019-2023.

“I had never coached women’s sports before taking the job,” Guerrero said. “He trusted me and let me do what I told him I was going to do. I was one of his first hires. The success of the athletic program has been led by Danny. He made us feel like we were one unit. I’m just an extension of what he built here.”

The Panthers women’s cross-country program also captured three NorCal women’s titles during one stretch and was a state runner-up in 2021.

“I definitely feel Danny really understood the long history that (longtime track and cross-country coach) Gary Shaw created and allowed me to keep that going to what I needed for the program,” current Hartnell track and cross-country coach Chris Zepeda said. “I appreciate the support of my vision for the program. You’re only as good as your leadership.”

Hartnell’s volleyball team has reached the state playoffs 15 straight years, while the swim team produced a state champion in its second season back. In addition, four beach volleyball players earned scholarships this past spring.

“I feel we’ve checked off all the boxes of what we wanted to accomplish,” said Teresa, who will stay involved with the school’s Hall of Fame as a committee member.

Teresa will miss the coaches and faculty members he’s either worked with, tutored, or sought out advice. He’ll miss the energy that the students provided.

“The people I work with are the ones that made this special,” Teresa said. “The lives we have impacted is phenomenal. It’s a bittersweet goodbye. All I wanted to do was contribute. I feel fulfilled that the foundation is strong and the future is bright for Hartnell athletics.”

Lisa Wooninck, Finding Sanctuary: Beyond Fireworks: Reimagining celebrations in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Fireworks have long marked important holidays and celebratory milestones, such as Fourth of July and anniversaries. The explosions of color, light and sound evoke a sense of awe and shared experience, deeply rooted in national tradition. Beyond providing entertainment, fireworks are a nostalgic reminder of family gatherings and civic pride.

In recent years though, the harmful side effects of fireworks have received more scrutiny. Fireworks are known to disturb wildlife and pets, cause air, noise and physical pollution, and be a safety hazard. Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is concerned with wildlife disturbance and marine debris. Similarly, opposition to fireworks displays in coastal communities has become more prevalent as citizens consider the potential impacts to the coastal environment.

“There’s definitely been a shift in the public perception of fireworks events over sanctuary waters,” says Kacy Cooper, MBNMS permit coordinator. “After the most recent fireworks events in 2024, I have received multiple calls from the public asking why the sanctuary was issuing permits for these events.”

Over the past few years, Monterey Bay sanctuary has permitted fireworks shows under strict conditions to minimize impacts to the sanctuary. Permit conditions require environmental monitors to conduct surveys before and after the event, limit the amount of louder “salute” type fireworks, and shift the launching point to areas away from the surf zone and other sensitive habitats. Permittees are also required to conduct beach clean-ups after the event and report on the amount of trash collected.

Other agencies, such as the California Coastal Commission, have also started taking a more nuanced approach to permitting fireworks shows by requiring applicants to analyze alternatives to fireworks events.

According to Jessica Kahn, public works director at the city of Capitola, “the city is now taking on the responsibility of permitting the Monte Foundation Fireworks show and is committed to supporting the event in a way that respects both community tradition while also considering environmental stewardship and potential alternatives for the future.”

The city recognizes the importance of the annual fireworks show as a community-based fundraiser but must also consider potential environmental, public health, and noise-related impacts.

Katie Thompson, executive director at Save Our Shores, shares that “Innovative alternatives like drone shows are powerful reminders that we can celebrate in ways that reflect our growing commitment to environmental stewardship. These more environmentally friendly options allow us to gather and celebrate while minimizing harm to our coastlines, wildlife, and ocean.”

Drone shows are growing in popularity around the world. On Saturday, May 17, 2025, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk hosted its first ever drone show to kick off summer. Karley Pope, director of marketing and sales at the Boardwalk recounted, “We had a wonderful turnout and received enthusiastic feedback about our first-ever drone show. The excitement from our guests and the community has us already looking forward to planning the next one.”

Drone shows produce less noise, light, and pollution as compared to traditional fireworks displays. Drone shows can be tailored to specific themes or events and can produce a more flexible and innovative display compared to traditional fireworks. As communities explore new traditions, the cultural significance of fireworks remains a key part of the conversation.

Monterey Bay sanctuary is committed to balancing resource protection with public enjoyment,  and will continue to follow applicable law and collaborate with state and local agencies to promote responsible celebrations and wildlife protection. By reducing the number of fireworks displays and incorporating more alternatives, such as drone shows, communities along the California coast can continue to celebrate while safeguarding the diverse marine life that calls the sanctuary home.

Superintendent Lisa Wooninck and her staff at NOAA’s Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary conduct research, education and resource protection in one of most biodiverse marine protected areas in the world. Learn about new and exciting stories by the sanctuary within these articles. Wooninck can be reached at lisa.wooninck@noaa.gov. To learn more about the sanctuary, visit montereybay.noaa.gov.

Harbor seals on the beach near Hopkins Marine Station in Pacific Grove in 2015. (Monterey Herald file)

Reports: Warriors make first move with restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga

SAN FRANCISCO — Jonathan Kuminga’s restricted free agency has been set in motion.

The Warriors tendered the $7.9 million qualifying offer to the 22-year-old forward, The Athletic’s Anthony Slater reported on Saturday morning.

If Kuminga accepts the qualifying offer as expected, that would allow other teams to negotiate contracts with the former lottery pick starting on Monday.

if he signs a much more lucrative offer sheet with another team, the Warriors have the right to match it and retain Kuminga.

Golden State could also facilitate a sign-and-trade with a team interested in Kuminga, which would allow the Warriors to possibly bring in multiple contracts that are equivalent to the value of Kuminga’s new deal.

The Warriors did not sign Kuminga to an extension last offseason, with the forward reportedly declining a 5-year, $150 million deal.

After a hot start to the season, Kuminga missed 31 games with a severe ankle injury. Once he came back, Kuminga’s playing time was diminished as coach Steve Kerr prioritized lineups featuring the newly-added Jimmy Butler.

“I did it here and there, but it was never a consistent role, a consistent role given to me,” Kuminga told The Athletic earlier this week. “It only happens five games on, 10 games off. I want it to be a consistent role. Because I know what I got. I know what I could bring.”

After being a healthy scratch to end the regular season, and during a few first-round playoff games vs. Houston, he scored 18, 30, 23 and 26 points in the final four games of the Minnesota series after Curry was lost for the round with a hamstring injury.

Horoscopes June 28, 2025: Mel Brooks, it’s OK to backtrack this year

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Kellie Pickler, 39; John Cusack, 59; Kathy Bates, 77; Mel Brooks, 99.

Happy Birthday: Take good care of yourself and your meaningful relationships. It’s OK to backtrack this year and to change your mind if it will help turn a wrong into a right. Listen carefully and react sensibly to those trying to confuse or manipulate you to turn into something you are not. Let positive thoughts and acts set the standard and create boundaries to maintain peace and equality. Live life your way. Your numbers are 6, 13, 22, 24, 30, 36, 45.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Let your intuition lead the way at social events and when dealing with expenditures, but proceed with caution when domestic matters come into play. Someone close to you may offer full disclosure regarding a concern you have. Stay calm, embrace what’s positive and give those close to you more time to respond. 5 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Get out, mingle, network and utilize your physical skills to meet your demands. A busy schedule will help you make the most of your day and give you access to those who will support and contribute to your success. A positive change regarding love, romance and self-improvement projects will be uplifting. 2 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): It’s OK to make a force play if you have everything in place and know what to do with the outcome to please even your most unrelenting associate. Communication is your best asset today, so don’t hesitate to voice your opinion and charm those you want to impress or bond with personally. 4 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Channel your energy into something positive. Forward thinking, standing up for your beliefs and making a difference will be gratifying and set the stage for better days ahead. Be a leader and a conduit for those who have lost their way. Do your part, and support and respect will follow. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): A positive attitude will generate energy and excitement around you and what you pursue next. Engage in conversations and displays that offer insight into new and exciting possibilities, and you will gain momentum, interest and input that will carry you far beyond your imagination. Don’t hold back when it’s time to soar. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Keep an eye on your cash, investments, legal matters and medical issues. You’ll get mixed responses and require second opinions to avoid being misled by someone less qualified. Do your research and conduct conversations with questions based on your findings. Take care of your interests personally, and you’ll have no regrets. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Keep situations and conversations in perspective. If something sounds too good to be true, it’s probably inflated information. Concentrate on being resourceful and getting your news from the source. How you conduct yourself will determine the outcome. Aim high and reach for recognition and a seat at the table. Advancement is apparent. 4 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Think before sharing information. Someone will be eager to take advantage of you if you are gullible. Stay one step ahead of anyone who wants to barter or engage in a challenging or competitive conversation. Avoid talking about money or offering insight into matters of a personal nature. Make personal growth your priority. 2 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Pay attention to detail concerning your possessions or investments. Take time to declutter your surroundings and add value to your property. It’s a great time to sell off items you no longer need or want and to raise your qualifications to help you secure a position that offers higher benefits or wages. 5 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Make travel plans, attend a reunion or sign up for a course that promotes knowledge or enhances your looks or marketability. Partnerships are apparent, and wheeling and dealing will help you find the best fit for you and the services you can offer. Mix business with pleasure and explore your options. Romance is favored. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Ignore the hype and take the safe route. Concentrate on gaining security and using your skills, gifts and what you have achieved as your building blocks to get to the next level. A change will tempt you, but avoid letting your emotions lead the way. Common sense and negotiating will pay off. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Learn from the changes around you. Consider what will make your home environment more comfortable and efficient and how to make the changes at a price you can afford. Make your intentions clear to those who will be affected by your actions. Reach out to someone you love and share your long-term plans. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are insightful, unique and methodical. You are possessive and generous.

1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes. 2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others. 3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals. 4 stars: Aim high; start new projects. 5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

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