Aptos Life - July, 2019

Word from a Friend County budget update PAGE 10

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JULY 2019

Rebuilding begins

Career complete

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EVERYTHING APTOS, CAPITOLA & SOQUEL

HISTORY CORNER

/LifeA.C.S

Vol. 7 No. 11

Photo by TARMO HANNULA

My hands feel clammy Who doesn’t like clam chowder? How about a clam bake? If you buy clams at your local market, they are probably from the East Coast.

But the West Coast used to be “clam central.”

Thousands of years before the first Europeans arrived, the native people harvested all types of shellfish. In the winter and spring, during the lowest low tides, they would dig up clams with sharpened sticks and collect them into nets and crude baskets. They collected huge amounts of shellfish and often sat near the water or on a bluff and consumed their catch. Huge shell mounds, or middens, accumulated around the San Francisco and Monterey bays, some covering hundreds of thousands of square feet.

There were more than 425

By John Hibble of the Aptos History Museum Visit us online: aptoshistory.org Visit the museum: 7605-B Old Dominion Court

Aptos

Turn to Page 6

The future of the Capitola Mall has been a hot topic since Merlone Geier Partners last year purchased roughly 67 percent of the property — or 31 acres. Read more on page 2.

Shortest Parade to honor long career Retiring fire captain named grand marshal

By TODD GUILD APTOS — The World’s Shortest Parade in Aptos started with a small handful of floats cobbled together by residents hoping to put their own spin on a traditional summertime celebration.

Years later, the event still retains its homespun roots and draws thousands of people from across the county – some of them grandparents who came to the event as children – to watch more than 100 groups participate.

It has garnered national recognition as one of the top seven Fourth of July Turn to Page 2

Aptos/La Selva Fire Capt. Greg Hansen talks about his upcoming retirement from the force. — Tarmo Hanula/LIFE

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JULY 2019

2 - LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

Ambitious changes proposed for Capitola Mall Real estate investor to add housing, outdoor public spaces

By TONY NUNEZ

Publisher

Jeanie Johnson

Editor

Tony Nuñez

Editorial

Todd Guild Johanna Miller Tony Nuñez Tarmo Hannula

Photography

Tarmo Hannula

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Production

Mike Lyon Rob Chalhoub Life in Aptos, Capitola and Soquel is published monthly. All rights reserved, material may not be reprinted without written consent from the publisher. Life in Aptos, Capitola and Soquel made every effort to maintain the accuracy of information presented in this publication, but assumes no responsibility for errors, changes or omissions. Life in Aptos, Capitola and Soquel is a division of the Register-Pajaronian.

Publishing in Santa Cruz County since 1868.

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CAPITOLA — Five years from now the Capitola Mall could be a sprawling community hub full of apartments, parks and businesses.

That is what Merlone Geier Partners, a real estate investor based in San Francisco that owns a majority of the Capitola Mall’s footprint, is currently proposing for the once proud Santa Cruz County shopping center.

More than 600 housing units, open public spaces, “world class” retail brands, distinguished local and national restaurants and a luxury cinema have all been part of the plan during Merlone Geier’s presentations to City of Capitola officials and members of the public.

Vice President of Development Stephen Logan presented a rough outline to the planning commission and city council in early May, and showcased a more detailed look at the investor’s plan for the mall in a recent town hall meeting.

All of these changes, Logan told the council, are based off the “Create Tomorrow Together” survey conducted over roughly five months last year that nearly 8,000 “nearby” residents filled out.

“People want open space, people want a place to gather, people want some place to go with their friends,” Logan said to the Capitola City Council in a May 9 meeting.

“We really take this to heart when we’re planning something like this.”

Capitola City Manager Jamie Goldstein said Merlone Geier is expected to submit an official application sometime in August or September. If OK’d by the city, the arduous process of environmental review, gathering building permits, finding contractors and demolition and construction will begin.

All of that is expected to take at least five years.

“Right now we’re at step three of 500,” Goldstein said.

But the plans are considered a step in the

Shortest parade parades by the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler on the magazine’s daily traveler website.

“It is the most wonderful parade in the world,” said Karen Hibble, who shares the title of executive director of the Aptos Chamber of Commerce with her husband John. “It feels really like what people think of when they think of Fourth of July in America.”

This year’s grand marshal is Aptos La

This graphic presented to the Capitola City Council shows Merlone Geier Partners’ ownership of the Capitola Mall property in teal. The real estate investor owns roughly 67 percent of the property. — Contributed

right direction for Capitola, which for years has tried to revitalize the mall property in different ways.

Goldstein said those efforts gained steam when Merlone Geier acquired the Sears property in December of last year. That purchase gave the company ownership of 67 percent of the property. Target, Macy’s, Citi Bank, Bank of America and Olive Garden also own smaller portions of the property, and will continue to operate for the foreseeable future.

“It took some time to acquire pieces of the property,” Logan said to the city council on May 9, “but we’re very excited about what the future holds here.”

Merlone Geier’s vision of the future of the property falls in line with the City’s, Goldstein said. Among other things, Capitola’s General Plan, released in 2014, called for a major restructure of the mall that would create a “healthy and stable local economy.” Making the property friendlier to pedestrians and creating places for shoppers and families to gather were key

goals included in the General Plan.

“It’s obvious [Merlone Geier] has looked at our General Plan and worked off of that, which is encouraging,” Goldstein said.

“We want [the property] to be a community asset for coming generations.”

Logan at the May 9 city council meeting showcased Merlone Geier’s project in Mountain View, The Village at San Antonio Center, a 20.6-acre site that the company turned into a mixed-use center with 330 residential apartments over restaurants and retail, as an example of what the mall property could be.

Goldstein called the changes a “unique” opportunity for Capitola, but also said city officials will have to make sure the project is an overall positive for the community.

Traffic, water use, its fiscal impact and a projected 10 percent growth of population all must be weighed before anything is given the green light, Goldstein said.

“We have to make sure the dollars and cents match up,” he said.

Continued from page 1

Selva Fire Captain, Greg Hansen, who has been with the department for more than three decades.

Hibble praised Hansen for his years on the job, which included visiting classrooms as the H2O clown to talk about fire safety.

“Greg has been in our fire department for over 37 years, and he has given so much to our community,” Hibble said. “I can’t tell you how many lives he has touched.”

During his time with the department, Hansen said he has provided countless hours of educational programs aimed at helping keep community members safe.

But such endeavors are difficult to quantify when it comes to a firefighter’s role of lifesaver.

“I hope I saved people’s lives, but you don’t really know that you saved someone,” he said.

But when Hansen remembers Jacob Kirkendall, there is no such ambiguity.

Kirkendall was 17 when he was severely shocked after touching a downed power line on Rio Del Mar Beach in June 2009.

When Hansen’s crew arrived, Kirkendall was thrashing on the ground, with the live wire nearby, and firefighters were technically prohibited from going near him until crews could shut off the power.

“But I’m watching this kid die,” he said.

Hansen waited until Kirkendall laid down, and made his move.

“I went in as fast as I could and I pulled him out,” he said. “Like I’m going to be faster than electricity.”

After beating himself up for performing such a dangerous feat, he came to terms when he realized he had fully analyzed every move beforehand.

“I saved this young man’s life, but I could have been killed,” he said. “I felt comfortable enough that I could go in there and get him and not die.”

Hansen said he was surprised to hear he had been named grand marshal.

“It’s a real honor for them to recognize me for my services,” he said.

Hansen, who leaves the job on July 14 after a career that spanned 43 years, called his impending departure “bittersweet.”

“It’s never been a job,” he said. “It’s always been a lifestyle.”

The World’s Shortest Parade begins at 10 a.m. on July 4, “We start on time, never late, never one second,” Hibble said.

It winds from State Park and Soquel drives to Trout Gulch Road and Soquel Drive.

The day begins with a pancake breakfast from 7:30-10 a.m. in the parking lot of Burger in Aptos. Adults are $10 and children are $5.

The Party in the Park follows from noon until 4 p.m. in Aptos Village Park and features kids’ games, face painting, pony rides, bounce houses, kids’ crafts, food trucks, beer, wine and music by the band Extra Large.

For information visit aptoschamber. com.

JULY 2019

LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel - 3

Deputies investigating Aptos murder-suicide Couple was divorcing, court records show

By TODD GUILD

check at the residence just after 7 p.m. when relatives arrived and noticed some APTOS — Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s “concerning things,” Baldwin said.

When they arrived they found a dead investigators are investigating an apparent murder-suicide after a man reportedly shot woman just inside the doorway, and and killed his wife and then himself in their discovered a man’s body elsewhere in the house, Baldwin said. residence in the Aptos hills.

“We handle it as the most Crime scene technicians were severe type of crime that we can investigating the residence at 506 handle,” Baldwin said. “A number Cuesta Drive June 17. of resources are investigating Investigators believe that this, and we will do everything Robert Mann, 56, shot his wife we can to determine what led up Janell Lund-Mann, 45, and then to this and ultimately the way that committed suicide, but what led everything happened.” up to the shootings is still unclear, Baldwin said that there said Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s have been no prior calls to the Sgt. Dee Baldwin.

According to the Santa Cruz LUND-MANN residence, and a weapon has been recovered.

County Superior Court website, “This is an isolated event the couple was going through a divorce, with a “proof of service” occurring on June involving a domestic relationship, so 11, and a status conference scheduled on we have no reason to think that there is anybody outstanding that could be Aug. 19.

Lund-Mann served on the board of responsible for this or any additional directors of the Loma Prieta Region neighborhood concerns that would cause Porsche Club of America. In the driveway any ongoing concerns for the neighbors,” sat a newer-model Porsche Cayenne, next Baldwin said.

The residence is located in an upscale to an older model 914. A third Porsche sat neighborhood of two-story homes in the in the garage.

Deputies responded for a welfare Aptos hills, many of which have views of

A forensics team from the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office collects evidence from a home on the 500 block of Cuesta Drive in Rio Del Mar June 17 where a man reportedly shot and killed his wife and then himself the night prior. — Tarmo Hannula/LIFE

the ocean in the distance.

Neighbor John Eaton said the couple was quiet and kept to themselves. He added

Aptos Village on the move Cat & Cloud opens

By TARMO HANNULA

Seacliff resident opens fire on uninvited guest

By TODD GUILD

APTOS — Cat & Cloud Coffee threw its doors open early on June 11 in a soft opening to invite the public to their airy indoor, outdoor walk-up counter café.

With two other locations in Santa Cruz, the business takes perch in the new and sprawling Aptos Village that has recently seen the opening the New Leaf Community Market, Sereno Group and the Sockshop & Shoe Co. Cat & Cloud was swarmed with business just hours into its opening.

“I’ve been waiting so long for this to open in this neighborhood,” said Lindsay Pavlovich, whose family has a long history in the apple industry in Watsonville. “The people here are so nice and it’s just a happy place to come and enjoy a coffee. Everyone is excited about it. I’m sure they’ll do well.

Turn to Page 7

that they recently renovated the house.

Anyone with information about the couple is asked to call Detective Sgt. Jacob Ainsworth at 454-7635.

SEACLIFF — A man who allegedly tried to break into a Seacliff home early Thursday morning was shot several times by the resident, Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Sgt. Dee Baldwin said.

The suspect had not been named before time of print. He was taken to a trauma center and is expected to survive.

Baldwin said that there was no prior relationship between the resident and the suspect.

Neighbor Janice Diciuccio, whose window faces the residence, said that she heard a woman shouting “no” and “get out” about 3 a.m., followed by several popping sounds.

Diciuccio called 911, and then stayed inside.

“I locked myself in my bedroom,” she Customers line up in Cat & Cloud Coffee at the Aptos Village hours after the business opened its doors. — Tarmo Hannula/LIFE

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Demolition begins at Hideout restaurant Rebuild in the works

By TARMO HANNULA APTOS — One month to the day after the popular Hideout restaurant in Aptos was gutted by an early-morning blaze, demolition work got under way to get the eatery back on its feet.

By noon on June 17 a crew was using heavy equipment to begin gnawing away at the blackened wood structure at 9051 Soquel Drive.

Mike DeMars, Fire Marshal for Central and Aptos/La Selva Fire, said no injuries were reported in the 2:05 a.m. blaze on May 20 that destroyed the restaurant, which featured indoor and outdoor seating, a full bar and a cozy atmosphere.

DeMars said the fire appeared to be accidental.

The day after the fire, property owner Dale Berman was on scene surveying the damage. He was back at the scene on June 17 excited to see work getting started.

“It’s one step at a time,” he said. “I’m just glad to have the process set in motion.”

Berman said he knows a lot of names in local construction companies, which he said would give him a boost in the rebuild, and that he wanted to use “local talent” in rebuilding the business.

“Right now it looks like we’re in line to get this place up and running in about nine months — that’s what we’re aiming for,” Berman said in May. The Hideout “family” started a GoFundMe account to help defray Turn to Page 7

A loader operator tears out a section of the charred Hideout restaurant in Aptos. A fire roared through the popular eatery in May. — Tarmo Hannula/LIFE

JULY 2019

4 - LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

COMMUNITY CHATTER Residents urged to prepare for PG&E power outages

As residents prepare for the upcoming fire season, the County of Santa Cruz is asking residents who depend on electricity for medical and mobility devices to be aware of the likelihood of extended power outages during certain weather conditions.

To help mitigate the risk of catastrophic forest fires, Pacific, Gas & Electric plans to proactively de-energize portions of the electricity grid during periods of high temperatures and extreme winds. PG&E is warning Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) could last 1-2 days or longer than a week, depending on the severity of the weather event. Individuals relying on ventilators or respiratory devices, dialysis, feeding devices, motorized equipment and refrigerated medication are all at risk during extended power outages.

To identify and help residents prepare for Public Safety Power Shutoffs, the County is asking residents who rely on such equipment to fill out a brief survey.

The survey is available at surveymonkey. com/r/YRBCNZN. Filling out the survey assures that County officials have accurate contact information for vulnerable residents should an extended power shutoff occur. Information will be kept confidential.

During a Public Safety Power Shutoff event, some advanced notice is expected.

The County Office of Emergency Services encourages people to sign up for emergency notifications by visiting scr911.org and following the prompts, or by downloading the CodeRed app.

For more on PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoffs, visit prepareforpowerdown.com.

Sunday Art and Music at the Beach

A crew from William Ratto and Co., including Israel Davila (center), plant new shrubs and flowers alongside a newly installed sign for Aptos Village on Soquel Drive at the Aptos Village Project. — Tarmo Hanula/LIFE

Cultural Commission, the Sunday Art & Music at the Beach series takes place six Sundays throughout summer at Esplanade Park in Capitola Village. Enjoy quality artwork from local artists and live music on the Esplanade from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

— live music starts at 2 p.m.

Live Music Schedule • June 30: Singing Wood Marimba (World Music/African Marimba) • July 7: 7th Wave (Acoustic/Light Rock) • July 14: Alex Lucero (Soul, Funk, Smooth Grooves) • July 21: Samba Cruz (Brazilian) • August 4: Acoustic Soul (R&B/ Smooth Jazz Trio) • August 11: Harpin & Clark (Jazzy, Gypsy & Country Blues)

Sponsored by the Capitola Art &

Make the pledge to stay alive... don’t text & drive.

Bay Federal receives 5-Star Superior Rating

Bay Federal Credit Union received a 5-Star Superior rating by BauerFinancial Group, the highest possible rating offered by the group. This rating is based off of Bay Federal’s financial data as of March 31.

BauerFinancial is an independent firm that has provided ratings on financial institutions since 1983. The firm determines ratings by using the same strict barometer to rate all banks and all credit unions across the country.

Bay Federal’s 5-Star rating is an improvement from its prior 4-Star Excellent rating. Institutions that are rated 4-Stars or above are recommended to consumers by BauerFinancial Group. The credit union recently announced that they hit $1 billion in assets on March 31.

Timothy B. Howton — Contributed

Local earns his stripes

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Timothy B. Howton Jr. graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Howton is the son of Lorraine R. and Timothy B. Howton of Santa Cruz, and husband of Catherine E. Bolanos of Clovis.

He is a 2008 graduate of Soquel High School.

The problem of saltwater intrusion and ongoing overdraft must be addressed.

I am pleased the water District is responding to this serious issue before it is a full-scale crisis.

Craig Wilson

Public Safety Official & District Customer

28% or 1.6 million crashes each year involve cell phones.

The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates 1.4 million crashes each year are caused by drivers using cell phones and a minimum of 200,000 additional crashes are caused by drivers who are texting.

Distracted driving claimed 3,450 lives in 2016 alone.

Distracted driving kills. It’s up to you to stay focused and pay attention behind the wheel.

This urgent message of safety brought to you by:

JULY 2019

LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel - 5

Dominican Hospital slated for after the project is approved by the county.

While the majority of the project will be renovation, expansion funded by Dignity Health, a portion will be

Dignity Health Dominican Hospital will undergo a $360 million renovation and expansion to ensure that the growing Santa Cruz County community can access health care now and into the future. The project will allow for advanced technology and new state-of-the-art facilities.

The Dominican Hospital Pavilion expansion and improvement project, slated to begin later this year, will add 84,000 square feet to the existing hospital— without increasing the hospital’s current footprint—and will include construction of a three-level parking garage with 410 parking spaces.

The Pavilion project will convert all semi-private patient rooms to private rooms, and create a new surgery department complete with larger operating rooms to accommodate more advanced procedures and prepare for the technology of the future.

Patient care will not be impacted by construction.

The new structures will be energy efficient, with LED lighting for energy savings and highly directional light that does not contribute to light pollution.

Landscaping will emphasize droughtresistant and native plants.

The planning team also is exploring installation of solar power.

The project is in the early planning stages. A recent meeting with the hospital’s neighbors to gather feedback was the first step in the process.

Dominican Hospital submitted a Design Permit and Planned Unit Development (PUD) permit application to the Santa Cruz County planning department on June 10.

The project timeline is several years, but Dominican Hospital will prioritize construction of the parking garage, which may be completed as soon as 18 months

raised through a community campaign led by the Dominican Hospital Foundation.

State awards $7M to local justice programs

Santa Cruz County was awarded $7 million in two new grants that will aid criminal justice diversion programs, including drug and alcohol treatment, and reduce youth racial disparities in the criminal justice system.

A $6 million grant will fund the Coordinated Access for Empowering Success (CAFES) project and the remainder will go toward the Community Reclaiming Youth Justice program in South County.

CAFES will increase the integration of criminal and specialty courts with community services to help divert lowerlevel offenders from overcrowded jails and prisons by addressing root causes of crime.

For the Community Reclaiming Youth Justice program, the County will partner with Pajaro Valley Prevention & Student Assistance, with referrals from local police agencies, schools and the community. An oversight committee will be established including local criminal justice partners, organizations and the community, and a robust data collection and evaluation program will be included.

Funding for both programs was provided by the California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC).

Santa Cruz County Bank and Lighthouse Bank to merge

Santa Cruz County Bank and Lighthouse Bank announced they have entered into an agreement and plan of reorganization and merger, pursuant to which Lighthouse

The Cabrillo Host Lions Club of Aptos recently awarded $1,000 scholarships to eight graduating Aptos High seniors: (starting second from left) Bella Stephens, Connor Norwark, Marcos Reyes, Christian Marquez-Pacheco, Sonia Byington, Giselle Villanueva and Katie Basile. Mata Mendoza was also awarded a scholarship. — Contributed

Bank will merge with and into Santa Cruz County Bank in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $68.87 million.

The merger will increase Santa Cruz County Bank’s total assets to nearly $1 billion with seven full-service banking offices in Santa Cruz and Santa Clara Counties.

When school is out, summer meals are in

With summer upon us, it’s time to think about keeping children healthy while school is out. The Summer Meals Program makes sure all children can eat healthy food during the summer months.

During summer vacation, many foodinsecure children lose access to free or reduced priced meals, but this valuable program provides no cost and convenient access to meals for kids in need. Free lunches will be provided to all children, without eligibility documentation, who are 18 years of age and younger. Some programs may require registration for participants.

To make the program welcoming and accessible, meals are served at locations where kids congregate during the summer, such as playgrounds, summer schools and

Dr. Elizabeth Martin

community centers. Summer meals are offered at a total of 25 sites throughout the county.

For more information, text FOOD or COMIDA to 877-877 or call 211 for a location near you.

Assembly approves Stone bill to protect borrowers

Assemblymember Mark Stone’s (D-Monterey Bay) Student Loan Bill of Rights, or AB 376, successfully passed the Assembly Floor. The bill seeks to strengthen protections for California’s 3.7 million student loan borrowers by ensuring that those with student loans receive accurate information and access to repayment programs.

AB 376 sets new standards for student loan servicing while also creating tools that allow individual borrowers, the California Attorney General and the Department of Business Oversight to stand up against practices that hurt borrowers. The measure also enables greater transparency and oversight by establishing regularly published report cards that student compare loan servicing companies on their business conduct.

Dr. Patricia Wilson

Dr. Molly Tackabury

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Call 831.688.4242 to schedule an appointment 10404 Soquel Drive, Aptos • aptos-creeksidepets.com

JULY 2019

6 - LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

History Corner

Continued from page 1

This photograph is of Don and Maude Emery and friends. This photograph was taken in the teens or early 1920s. The Emerys were prune growers near the summit and loved to hunt and fish. — Contributed

This is the Lindsay family clamming in the 1930s. — Contributed

shell middens in the San Francisco Bay area alone. Some were more than 30 feet tall.

There are a variety of shellfish along our coast, including the Washington clam, but the Pismo clam was the choicest.

There original range was from Half Moon Bay to past the end of Baja California, Mexico. Today their range is from Monterey Bay and south.

Clamming has been a popular sport on local beaches for some time. In the early 1900s, Pismo clams were so plentiful that farmers would dig them up using horse drawn plows. At first the clams were used as silage for hogs but by 1911 a commercial market developed for restaurants, and they were canned or sold fresh in markets, and also used for bait.

At the Rio Del Mar Country Club in August of 1935, the Monthly Bulletin, proclaimed, “The famous mammoth

clams of Pismo… now flourish and are as prolific as in the famous beach at Pismo. The clams are five, six, and seven inches in diameter, and one good clam will make a chowder. The species is in season from May to August, and to dig them requires an angler’s license, for the ordinary method is to wade into the water from knee to waist deep, and to dig below the surface with a clam rake.

Many bathers have produced the limit on the Club beach, by simply digging with their toes… The Club chef is adept at producing individual chowders, but the member going clamming is warned to have a fisherman’s license, and to throw back all clams under five inches.”

In 2007, Marcia Miller gave her father’s clam rake to the museum. It is quite a contraption. It started out as a small pitchfork with the tines bent over at a right angle. An extra piece of wood was

bolted to the handle to extend it another two and a half feet, making the whole thing six-and-a-half-feet long with rubber wrapped around the top end for comfort.

A sling and a crossbar are attached to the handle so that the user could put the sling around the waist, place the cushioned handle against the shoulder, grab the crossbar and leisurely walk backwards while turning up clams from the sand. A simple five-inch measuring gauge was attached to the handle to make sure the clams were of legal size.

Marcia can remember driving in a Willy’s Jeep right out onto the beach of Rio Del Mar flats, and clamming there in the 1950s. Her family got busted for driving on the beach, but they were all lawyers along with an Episcopal minister, so they got off pretty easily. Reverend Anderson, being Irish, warmed up on cold mornings with Irish Whiskey and coffee.

The commercial harvest of clams in California was regulated from 1916

through 1947 when it was closed to commercial fisherman. During those 31 years, more than six million pounds of clams were harvested, mostly between Pismo Beach and Morro Bay. Pismo clams are making a comeback, but not in sizes that are legal to take. Part of the problem is the successful rebound of the sea otter population. Otters were estimated to have eaten 520,000 to 700,000 Pismo clams in one year in the Monterey Bay. Pismo clams may be harvested with a fishing license in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties from September 1 through April 30. The minimum size is five inches across, and the limit is 10.

If you are able to find them, you will be happy as a clam.

Please consider becoming a member of the Aptos History Museum and keep history alive.

Above: Clamming at Rio Del Mar. Below: Loyd Miller’s Jeep with Don Haile, Reverend Anderson, and Harry Lucas holding clam rakes. — Contributed

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Grand Jury: jail overcrowding, staff shortages should be addressed

By TODD GUILD SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — The Santa Cruz County Grand Jury on Wednesday issued a report critical of the county’s jail facilities, pointing out problems with overcrowding, staff shortages and illegal drugs making their way inside.

The 19-member Grand Jury’s first report of the year also praised the Rountree Detention Facility for the educational and training programs offered to inmates, and the Ben Lomond Conservation Camp #45 for providing life skills for the inmates who qualify for placement there.

The report covered the county’s six detention facilities, including Main Jail, Blaine Street Women’s Facility and Rountree Detention Facility, all of which are run by the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office.

It also covers Juvenile Hall, run by the county probation department, and Ben Lomond Conservation Camp #45, also known as “Fire Camp,” which is run by the State of California.

According to the report, the inmate population at Main jail was 370 when it visited for the first time, and 369 on the second visit, which is 16 percent above its rated capacity.

The report called overcrowding a “continuing problem” at the main facility.

Jail staff told the jurors that illegal drugs frequently come in to the jail, both through visitors and hidden in inmates’ body cavities.

That’s also true at the women’s jail, where the lack of security at its perimeter fencing makes it relatively easy to toss contraband over the fence, the report said.

The largest problem noted by the report was low staffing, compounded by high housing costs in Santa Cruz County.

Many employees said they commute from San Benito County, while some come from as far away as the Central Valley.

Mandatory overtime also adds stress to the job, staff told the Grand Jury.

The Rountree facility in Watsonville garnered praise for its classes and training programs.

“The Grand Jury was impressed by the array of classes and training programs offered, and hopes that personnel are able to obtain commitments from local businesses to hire inmates after release,” the report reads.

Shooting

Continued from page 3

My husband and I are so glad that we can just walk here and the New Leaf from our home.”

Manager Lucas Aguiar said he was happy with the outpouring of customers right from the get go.

“Right now we’re just making sure everything is running smoothly,” he said.

“It’s a great location and we’re so happy to be able to serve this community in Aptos Village.”

SHERIFF’S OFFICE RESPONSE SCCSO Undersheriff Craig Wilson said that the department was aware of all the issues raised by the Grand Jury report, and has been working on them for more than a year.

This includes Sheriff Jim Hart convening the Criminal Justice Committee on Jail Crowding, which will include representatives from the jail, the District Attorney’s Office, the County Administrative Office and the Santa Cruz County Superior Court.

That group will start in August, Wilson said.

“We are interested in addressing overcrowding, as long as it doesn’t jeopardize public safety,” he said.

Wilson also said that the SCCSO was planning to ask the Board of Supervisors for funding that would pay for a bodyscanning device for the jail – and a K9 officer that would help stop the flow of illegal drugs into the jails – during the budget hearings on Thursday.

Deputies on Tuesday arrested Justin Fenn after he allegedly tried to sneak in nearly two ounces of meth and heroin hidden in his body cavity, and also tried to sneak in drugs, tobacco, Suboxone, and needles, the SCCSO said on Facebook.

Wilson acknowledged that it has been difficult to retain staff, despite offering a salary that ranges from $62,000 to $82,000 per year.

The SCCSO has temporarily assigned deputies to help out in the jails, Wilson said.

“It’s an ongoing challenge in this county, but it’s reached a new level,” he said. “We have to continue to operate the jail, and we have to do it safely.”

Under state law, organizations typically have 90 days to respond to grand jury reports. They are not, however, required to implement any of the suggested changes.

Tools to Make Parenting Easier

June

“It’s a really quiet neighborhood, lots of kids running around and biking,” he said. “Not a lot going on.”

The Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating the shooting and is looking for witnesses. Anyone with information can call Detective Sgt. Jacob Ainsworth at 454-7635.

Jacqueline Deely California’s Coastal Birds

Continued from page 3

rebuilding costs and raised more than $44,000 of their $50,000 goal.

Paul Furman, manager at California Pajarosa of Watsonville, said his business also helped generate money for the Hideout at the recent Monterey Bay Greenhouse Tour.

“I live in Aptos. I know these people and they’re kind people that we wanted to help,” Furman said. “They offer kind service, great food and we just wanted to help.”

A statement from Hideout on the GoFundMe read: “Words can not begin to describe the overwhelming love and

support The Hideout family feels from this community. Yes, we have suffered a devastating loss, but right now our focus is to do what a family does and support one another by helping all of our employees find good employment they need. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. — The Hideout Family.”

On the same website, Larry Griffin wrote: “I donated because these are my brothers, they make EVERYONE feel welcome, and they need our help to get back to doing what they do best — serving our local community. I love you guys.”

Aguiar said they serve a full coffee menu, summer drinks, teas, pastries and toast and carry a lengthy line of coffee beans or ground coffee to take home.

They are at 10 Parade St. and are open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The original Cat & Cloud location in East Side Santa Cruz is at 3600 Portola Drive in Live Oak. Its other location, Cat & Cloud Downtown, is at Abbott Square Market, 725 Front St.

Community Food Hotline

Continued from page 3

said.

Diciuccio said that two sisters live in the residence, but that only one of them was at home during the incident.

Neighbor Tibor Schoenfeld said he was surprised to hear about the shooting in the neighborhood, which he described as normally peaceful.

Hideout

In a list of five recommendations, the Grand Jury said that the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office should research and evaluate body-scanning equipment to detect incoming illegal drugs.

The SCCSO should also work to alleviate overcrowding, including bond measures to replace or renovate the facility, the report said.

The department should also address the affects of mandatory overtime and consider options for subsidized housing.

Cat & Cloud

Harry & Mary Blanchard

First 5 Santa Cruz County triplep.first5scc.org 831.465.2217

JULY 2019

8 - LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

Aptos grads represent school’s variety, success

By TONY NUNEZ APTOS — Isabella Rose Stephens, or Bella as she’s known around Aptos High School, had a childhood that would break many.

Since she was 11 months old she has spent numerous nights, days and weekends at Dominican Hospital watching her mother undergo several immobilizing back surgeries — 13 to be exact. And her father has been absent from her life, too — she said he’s dealt with crippling alcoholism for the better part of a decade.

Though her childhood was filled with heartbreaking trips to the hospital and uncertainty at home, she said she learned plenty about the world and herself through the ups and downs.

“I think it’s made me into the person I am today,” she said. “Dealing with all that stress, dealing with [my mother’s] struggles and watching her grow, has helped me grow.”

Stephens on June 6 at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds graduated with a 4.06 grade point average (GPA) and an acceptance letter to UC San Diego’s molecular biology program.

She will be on the pre-med track when she arrives in San Diego, and hopes to become a surgeon — she will try to switch over to human biology in her first few months at the school.

Going into the medical field, she said, seemed natural after spending most of her childhood around emergency medical technicians, doctors and nurses because of her mother’s ailments, which stem from a fall almost two decades ago.

Her mother’s health troubles and her father’s bouts with alcoholism forced Stephens to move away from Aptos for a time.

At 6 she relocated to Los Angeles to live with other family members because her mother went into a long-term rehabilitation center following spinal surgery. Two years later she moved back to Aptos to live with her mother, and for a time things were good. But over the years her mother’s health has continued to deteriorate, sometimes forcing the two to switch the role of parent and child.

“There’s been so many nights where I get home and she says, ‘I have to go to the hospital, I can’t feel my legs’ or something else is happening,” Stephens said. “Then I’m in the hospital until 3 a.m. and have to get up and go to school the next day.”

The loss of sleep and added emotional strain did not effect her performance in school or athletics in the slightest.

Along with excelling in the classroom, Stephens was a three-sport athlete for the majority of her time at Aptos. As a senior, she was the starting goalie for the water polo team in the fall and played basketball in the winter. She also served as the team manager for the football team — a role she took on after hanging up the helmet and cleats as a sophomore.

Aptos High graduates, from left, Hunter Matys, Nico Vinuela, Bailey Ellis and Bella Stephens accomplished plenty during their four years at the school. — Tony Nunez/LIFE

“Football was probably my favorite sport,” she said. “I love the sport, and working under coach [Randy Blankenship] really pushed me…The sport really created a huge family for me.”

‘A BEAST’ When asked why the Aptos administration picked him as a representation of the school’s super successful athletic program, Hunter Matys couldn’t quite find an answer.

Isabella Stephens did.

“Because he’s a beast,” she said in jest as Matys let go a chuckle.

A three-sport athlete for the last three years, Matys graduated with a wideranging list of accomplishments from his time at Aptos.

Personally decorated mortarboards were a hot item for Aptos High. — Tarmo Hannula/LIFE

2019 SPCA Summer Camp! Calling all animal lovers!

For students entering: 5th through 7th grade 1 through 4 grade June 4-10 July 17-21 June 24-28 July 8-12 July 15-19 July 22-26 July 29-Aug 2 Aug 5-9 st

In the fall he was the starting quarterback for the school’s football team, which won a section championship, earned the county’s first-ever state playoff berth and broke numerous records. In the winter he helped guide the basketball team to a league title and (was) a runner-up finish in the section playoffs. And in the spring he broke the school record in the 100-meter dash and placed at both section and state finals in the long jump.

All those achievements would not have been possible without having adults in his life who believed in him, he said.

His stepfather, Mike Sutherland, pushed him into basketball in middle school and shaped his game. Coach Blankenship spotted Matys — his athleticism, leadership qualities and toughness — in a

th

At the Capitola Mall M/F 9am-3pm.

Cost for one week: $275 Register online: https://spcasc.org/events/summer-kids-camp-2019/

Aptos High School Principal Peggy Pughe welcomes her class of 2019 to its commencement ceremony on June 6 at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. — Tarmo Hannula/LIFE

pickup dodge ball game as an eight-grader, and convinced him to play quarterback.

And track coach Zach Hewett exuded an overwhelming amount of confidence of how Matys’ raw athletic ability would transfer to running and jumping.

“I’ve had a lot of people believe in me — teachers and coaches,” Matys said.

In the fall Matys will attend Cal PolySan Luis Obispo to run track for the Mustangs, which compete at the NCAA Division I level.

THE ‘NEXT CHAPTER’ Nico Vinuela first stepped on stage when he was in the third grade. He never thought performing would become a freeing passion that would dominate his time at Aptos.

“I don’t really feel anything when I’m [on the stage] now,” Vinuela said. “I feel like I’m no longer myself… I could’ve told you what I felt maybe in my sophomore year, but now I just kind of forget who I am.”

Vinuela over the last four years has performed in nine of the school’s plays/ musicals, served as a director in one production and was the president of the drama club. On top of that, he also held a 4.2 GPA and was the secretary of the associated student body (ASB) as a senior.

Vinuela said he never felt as if he was overworking himself. He was simply filling a vacant role.

“I try my best to exemplify what I believe should be expected of people,” he said. “I don’t do anything that I believe is going way above and beyond. I do what is right. I get involved and try to help people as much as I can.”

And that drive to help people pushed him into his next “chapter.” In the fall, he will Continued on Page 11

JULY 2019

LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel - 9

Cabrillo College sets record: 1,476 graduates

By TARMO HANNULA APTOS — Cabrillo College presented its largest graduating class ever in late May. The commencement ceremony to confer degrees and certificates of Cabrillo’s 60th graduating class of 1,476, was a 20 percent increase above last year’s graduating class of 1,196 graduates.

During the event at the Carl Conelly Stadium, the college awarded 1,150 Associate of Art degrees, 588 Associate of Science degrees, 232 certificates of achievement and 246 skills certificates.

Graduates ranged in age from 17 to 75, with an average age of 28. Of the total graduates, 63 percent were female and 37 percent were male. As a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution, 48 percent of Cabrillo’s graduating class was Latinx.

A record 120 students graduated with a 4.0 grade point average (GPA), more than twice last year’s total of 50. Additionally, 168 students graduated with high honors

(3.75-3.99 GPA), 229 with honors (3.53.74) and 597 with honorable mentions (3.0-3.49).

Several graduates received scholarships through the UC and CSU systems.

Four students also received scholarships from the San Jose State University Alumni Association, Santa Cruz Chapter.

Scholarship recipients include: Jasmine Fabie (graphic design), Erin Koch (public health), Ken Ueda-Martinez (international business major) and Alejandro Uribe-Rocha (civil engineering major).

This year Cabrillo conferred its first honorary degree to George Ow, Jr. Thirty years ago Ow started the American Dream Scholarship program at Cabrillo with the aim of helping local high school students attend the community college. He has been awarding $500 to local high school students each year, supporting more than 1,600 students to date.

Vanessa Segura (lower right) is joined by her friends prior to graduating at Cabrillo College. — Tarmo Hannula/LIFE

Cabrillo College Robotics Club earns national honor Staff report APTOS — Cabrillo College’s Robotics Club won a nationwide competition, besting 23 other colleges and universities in a three-day event at the University of New Mexico. The team received its award for the victory at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida last week.

The club was competing in the fourth-annual Swarmathon, in which programmers and engineers attempt to create computer code to control several small robots – a ‘swarm’ – that are tasked with analyzing terrain and carrying out a host of tasks.

Cabrillo’s team has participated in the NASA Swarmathon since 2016, when it won the virtual competition, in which participants wrote code for a rover that was then executed in a simulator.

In 2017 and 2018 the club entered the physical competition, in which participants built robots from kits and programmed them to find and bring back small blocks.

For the latest Swarmathon, the virtual and physical competitions were combined, making it the hardest yet. In the final round, the second-place team collected five resources, while Cabrillo’s team collected 20.

“This is the best swarming team that we’ve seen over the past four years of the competition,” said Professor Melanie Moses, the Principal Investigator for the NASA Swarmathon. “Their amazing engineering skills and algorithms went into winning this award, and all of this work will advance the future of space exploration.”

Computer Information Systems students, Carter Frost and Darren Churchill wrote the code that won the competition. They also calibrated the rover’s sensors, allowing it to navigate with accuracy that was two orders of magnitude better than the other teams.

Your

“I couldn’t be more proud of so many students who gave enormous amounts of their time to make the team successful,” said Cabrillo Robotics Club Faculty Advisor Michael Matera. “Over the course of three years of competition, we struggled to understand how complex and error-prone navigating the world is, and we learned a lot, each time improving our design, culminating in this year’s win.”

As part of its award, the Cabrillo College Robotics Club included a $2,000 check and a gold ‘Swarmie’ trophy.

Natural Look

JULY 2019

10 - LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

Santa Cruz County budget update residents. The County provides three categories of services: Municipal services delivered only in the unincorporated area including fire and police protection, land use planning, road maintenance, parks, garbage and sewer utilities.

Municipal services provided to the entire county (including the cities) such as elections, courts, probation, emergency preparedness, library and animal services.

State and federal services delivered to everyone in the county such as health services, public and mental health, adult and long-term care and family and children’s services.

By ZACH FRIEND Santa Cruz County Supervisor The County recently held hearings on the budget for the 2019-2020 fiscal year. The Board of Supervisors moved toward a two year budget that works to implement elements of the Santa Cruz County Strategic Plan and Operational Plan.

SERVICES THE COUNTY PROVIDES Approximately half of the population in Santa Cruz County lives in the unincorporated area, which means that for most services the County is the primary service provider for these

HOW BUDGET IS FUNDED Revenues for the budget come from a combination of local taxes, state and federal taxes and user fees. Some of the state and federal funds are pass through funds intended to fund specific programs (such as health and human service programs.) For every dollar of property tax you pay, the County receives about 13 cents. For every dollar of sales tax in the unincorporated area the County receives about 12 cents. Along with hotel taxes and cannabis business taxes these are the primary funding elements (about 90 percent) of revenues for the budget.

The County is projected to see very modest increases in property tax, sales tax and hotel/transient occupancy taxes in the next two years.

this coming fiscal year.

BUDGET PRIORITIES Overall spending is decreasing by about 12 percent over the next two years with General Fund spending (which represents public safety and parks for example) will increase by 5 percent. The County is maintaining our reserves at 10 percent.

The largest portion of the county’s discretionary spending (net County cost) is for public protection (Sheriff’s Dept., Probation, County Fire), over half of the total. The Sheriff’s Office will be receiving new positions including mental health client specialsts, a detective for sexual assault cases and new criminalist positions. Approximately 20 percent of the discretionary spending was spent on health and human services. Additional funds go toward parks, land use and other governmental functions and the reserve.

With the passage of Measure G, specific park investments including LEOs Haven and upgrades to Seacliff Village Park, Aptos Village Park and Hidden Beach Park are planned. Additionally, Measure S library funding will bring a remodel to La Selva Beach Library this year and the beginning of construction at the Aptos Branch. Local road improvements (residential) will occur in Rio Del Mar this year and Seacliff in the coming year. Additionally, bridge replacement work will occur on Green Valley Road at Casserly Creek as well a number of planned storm damage sites

SHORT-TERM BUDGET Similar to last year, community challenges in behavioral health, substance abuse and homeless services continue to place additional pressure on the budget. Local match requirements from storm damage repairs (including delays in reimbursement from the federal government for their cost share portion) are putting additional strains on local road budgets. Concerns over a possible economic downturn means ensuring the reserves are kept at a certain level to protect against future uncertainties (which reduces current available funding).

LONG-TERM BUDGET There are a lot of deferred maintenance and funding needs for capital improvements at County facilities (parks, County buildings) as well as roads, culverts and other infrastructure. The lack of affordable housing, and limited funding to help with construction of affordable housing, is putting pressures on transportation networks and the job market. Even with work done to contain health care and pension costs, the overall costs are rising. State and federal costshifts back to the County (especially in health and human services) pose an Turn to Page 11

Generation X – A Forgotten Generation

By GARY E. CROXALL, CFP and SOREN E. CROXALL, CFP Looking back through our previous articles, it became clear that we tend to focus on two population cohorts: Baby Boomers and Millennials. However, Generation X (those born between 1965 and 1980) is a population cohort that faces unique financial challenges that sets them apart from their Baby Boomer and Millennial counterparts.

WHAT GENERATION X HAS FACED AND IS FACING

Generation X began entering the workforce in the late 80’s and early 90’s.

During their early careers, they likely benefited from a solid economy during the 1990’s. However, Generation X was hit

not only with the dot-com bubble burst in 2001-2002, but they were hit particularly hard with the Great Recession in 2008.

Unlike Millennials, who were entering the workforce during the Great Recession and likely didn’t have a lot in the way of financial assets, Generation X lost their jobs, their retirement savings, and saw their home values declines – a triple threat. While things have improved substantially in the last 10 years, the scars from the Great Recession are still there.

It’s also worth pointing out that Generation X has been right in the middle of the transition out of traditional employer provided retirement pensions and into retirement savings plans like 401(k)s where employees are expected to contribute and assume the investment risk. So while some Baby Boomers may be lucky enough to still be entitled to a retirement pension, Generation X is the first full generation where saving for retirement typically falls squarely on their shoulders. Unfortunately, this has translated to Generation X being behind on their retirement savings.

Another issue plaguing Generation X is the level of indebtedness they face. Generation X tends to have the highest level of credit card debt between the three generations, and their overall debt load from all sources (student

loans, car loans, credit cards, mortgages, etc.) is higher than Baby Boomer and Millennials.

This is not surprising due to the fact that your typically Generation X family may be trying to save for their children’s college funds while still paying off their own student loans. They may even be providing financial support to aging parents while trying the save for their own retirement (the so called “sandwich generation”).

WHAT GENERATION X CAN DO

If you are a Gen X and are facing some of the issues mentioned earlier, fear not, there is still time for you to make some adjustments to help pursue your financial goals. As a Gen X’er you are likely entering your peak earning years between now and retirement.

Putting together a financial plan that lays out your financial goals and priorities is the first step. You should try to work toward putting hard numbers to those goals. An example could be, “I want my credit card debt paid off in 18 months.” That’s great, but it has little meaning without numbers and a plan behind it. In order to pursue that objective, you are going to need to look at your budget and see how much you can put toward your goal of paying off your credit card and then see if the 18 month time frame is doable or not. You may need to adjust your budget by cutting out discretionary items in order to meet your

18 month payoff goal. Another thing to point out, Generation X is still typically young enough that if they find they aren’t saving enough for retirement, they still have some time to make a course correction and begin super charging their retirement savings.

There is no question that all groups (Baby Boomers, Gen X, and Millennials) are facing increased challenges in planning for their future retirement. Identifying and balancing current financial requirements against future needs is critical for all groups to successfully get to and through retirement. Working with a qualified professional who can help you with a savings road map may be worth pursuing.

Gary E. Croxall, CFP® Registered Principal of LPL Soren E. Croxall, CFP® Registered Representative of LPL Securities and Advisory Services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA & SIPC. LPL Financial and Croxall Capital Planning do not provide tax or legal advice. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

JULY 2019

LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel - 11

Ask Nicole: Navigating the ups and downs of friendships Nicole M. Young, MSW When my kids were little, their closest friends were the children of my closest friends. Life was simple when I knew and trusted their friends and their friends’ parents. Now, my kids mention friends I’ve never met before, and I know that friendships can begin and end on social media without ever having any face-toface interactions. It almost makes me miss the “simpler” days of my childhood when social groups changed only as fast as you could dial the phone or write a note on paper. Although life feels more complicated these days, I have to remember I’m doing my best to teach my kids tools to handle the ups and downs of their social relationships – and then trust they’ll be able to use those tools when the time comes.

This monthly column provides tips for anyone who is helping raise children, based on the world-renowned Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, available to families in Santa Cruz County. If you have a question or idea for a future column, please email me at triplep@first5scc.org.

Dear Nicole, My 12-year old daughter has been

spending a lot of time alone lately. Her usual group of friends has become more interested in social media, shopping, and watching YouTube videos (and who knows what else) – and my daughter isn’t interested in any of that. It doesn’t seem to bother her to be alone, but I haven’t heard her talk about making new friends either.

Should I be worried?

• Jamila Dear Jamila, That’s a good question, and it’s important that you’re noticing changes in your daughter’s social life. As kids grow older, their social groups often change as they develop different interests and meet new people. It’s possible that your daughter naturally grew apart from her usual group of friends, and it may just take time to form new friendships. Or, this change could be a sign that something else is going on and your daughter could use support. Here are some tips to try: Have a casual conversation with your daughter. Ask about activities or hobbies she’s interested in and the people she spends time with online or face-to-face.

Listen for signs that her interests – and therefore her social group – may have changed by her choice, or listen for signs that she feels left out and left behind by her friends.

Ask how she feels about the changes in her friendships. Tell her you’ve noticed she’s been spending less time with her usual group of friends and you’re wondering how she feels about it. Ask open-ended questions to encourage her to share her thoughts and feelings – “How do you feel about spending less time with those friends?” – then gradually ask more specific questions to gauge whether your daughter feels there is a problem – “Did something happen that changed the friendships?” or “Do you wish you were still close to them?”

Watch for clues about how your daughter is coping with changing friendships. If she becomes upset or talks about being isolated and lonely, then ask her what she would like to do and if she wants your help. Hold off on giving advice or solutions unless your daughter asks for it. Instead, try asking, “Is there anything I can do to help?” then let her answers guide your actions. If your daughter seems interested in other people and activities but says she just outgrew her old friends and needs some time before making new ones, then let her know you’re there if she needs someone to talk to. Keep having casual conversations about her interests and social life and offer help if she asks for it.

Encourage your daughter to form new friendships. Even if your daughter enjoys being alone, she might still need some support and encouragement to meet and make new friends. If she’s not sure where

Census of homelessness shows decline

Aptos grads

Staff report

attend Cal Poly-SLO to study journalism.

He does not plan to perform in college.

Instead, he wants to use the power of storytelling to shed light on people’s struggles.

“I want to tell people’s stories if I can,” he said. “I want to be a voice for the minority.”

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — Preliminary numbers from the 2019 PointIn-Time (PIT) count indicate more than 2,100 Santa Cruz County residents were homeless, including 1,700 who did not have shelter.

The total of 2,167 homeless persons represents a slight decline from 2017.

Chronic and veteran homelessness in

Budget talks

particular showed positive trends, with the former decreasing by nearly one-third.

However, youth and family homelessness showed slight increases.

“With the heartbreaking increases in homelessness in many communities across California, this is positive news. But it’s not a victory,” Santa Cruz County Homeless Turn to Page 14

Continued from page 10

unknown pressure in the coming years.

Additionally, the loss of grant funding (as the grants come to a close) in the Probation Department and Sheriff’s Office creates the need to absorb these costs in the budget.

BUDGET IMPROVEMENTS Locally, sales tax, property tax and transient occupancy taxes (hotel or other vacation rental taxes) are up modestly. Some of that was committed to reserves and addressing our longer term structural deficit. New housing and businesses coming on line at the Aptos

Village, improvements and Rancho Del Mar and improvements slated for other locations in the county are also expected to be beneficial for the budget moving forward.

The County budget can often be complex and I hope this provides you with a helpful overview. You can view the budget at www.sccbudget.com or always feel free to call me at 454-2200 or visit during our open office hours in Aptos, Watsonville, La Selva or Corralitos.

Source: Genworth 2018 Cost of Care Study

For a complimentary consultation on your long term care planning options A: 9057 Soquel Dr. Bldg B, Ste A Aptos, CA 95003 P: (831) 661-4006 E: gary.croxall@lpl.com W: www.croxallcapital.com

Gary Croxall is a registered principal of and securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. CA Insurance Lic. #0532176

to start, help her identify her strengths and interests, then look for activities that provide an opportunity to meet people with similar interests. This can help start new friendships and build social skills.

Final Thoughts: Navigating the ups and downs of friendships is hard for many kids (and adults), especially in the midst of physical and hormonal changes and pressure to project an image of the “perfect life” on social media. With support from caring adults, children and teens can learn important social and emotional skills, like expressing their feelings, staying true to their values, and dealing with disappointment or rejection.

Although adolescence eventually ends, the importance of having positive relationships never goes away.

Nicole Young is the mother of two children, ages 15 and 19, who also manages Santa Cruz County’s Triple P Positive Parenting Program, the world’s leading positive parenting program.

Scientifically proven, Triple P is made available locally by First 5 Santa Cruz County, the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency (Mental Health Services Act) and the Santa Cruz County Human Services Department. To find a Triple P parenting class or practitioner, visit http://triplep.first5scc.org, www. facebook.com/triplepscc or contact First 5 Santa Cruz County at 465-2217 or triplep@first5scc.org.

Continued from page 8

A LIFE OF SERVICE It would be almost impossible to find an event or fundraiser at Aptos that Bailey Ellis was not involved in.

Ellis for the last two years served on ASB — this year as president — and spearheaded several of the school’s dances, assemblies and philanthropic efforts.

“Ever since I got to high school I knew I wanted to be involved,” she said. “I didn’t exactly know how when I first got here, but once I found out we had an ASB program I instantly fell in love.”

One of her favorite campaigns she helped organize: Empty Bowls, a fundraiser for

the Second Harvest Food Drive, in which people can buy a ceramic bowl made by an Aptos High student and enjoy soup and bread meal from the Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s Culinary Arts Students.

“That has always intrigued me, working with people and helping people,” Ellis said.

Ellis in the coming years would like to continue serving people. She plans to attend Cabrillo College, study environmental science and become an advocate for the planet.

Her passion for the environment was passed down from her father, Richard, a teacher at Saratoga High who would take her on long hikes from a young age.

She said her favorite hiking location is Big Basin.

“There’s something special over there… to know how small I am compared to everything there, but the fact that I can make a difference in all the trees that are getting cut down,” Ellis said.

This Aptos High School senior rejoices with friends prior to graduating at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds on June 6. — Tarmo Hanula/LIFE

12 - LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

JULY 2019

JULY 2019

LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel - 13

SPORTS

WITH

JUAN REYES

Longtime Aptos High AD Mark Dorfman retires

By JUAN REYES APTOS — Mark Dorfman has spent most of his time inside his office or out on the field/gym as the athletic director for Aptos High over the past three decades.

But after giving it much thought and consideration, especially for the kids, Dorfman has decided to step down after 30 years as head of the athletics program.

“Time for someone with new energy and new vision to take over,” wrote Dorfman in an email.

During his tenure as athletic director, Aptos High won 232 Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League titles, including 21 as the track coach, and 30 Central Coast Section championships.

Dorfman was an assistant football coach for 26 years but took a few years off when he took over as the track and field coach for 13 years from 1995 to 2008.

Dorfman officially announced he was stepping down at the beginning of June but the idea of retiring started brewing sometime in November.

Dorfman said he never pictured himself staying around as long as he did but something kept bringing him back.

“The dedication of our student-athletes and coaches, they inspired me,” he said.

Dorfman hired Dan Gruber as an assistant coach for the track team during the fall of 1991, which was shortly after he took over a parttime athletic director, coach and teacher.

“I’m probably his closest work friend,” said Gruber with a chuckle. “We have this relationship where he yells at me and I pretend like I didn’t do it.”

Gruber said his longtime co-worker

Mark Dorfman won 232 SCCAL titles and 30 Central Coast Section championships as athletic director at Aptos High. — Contributed

developed not just teams but a complete athletic program.

“He’s always had the utmost integrity,” Gruber said. “He would never blindside you and was straight up. He wants to win the right way and he does it.”

Gruber said he remembers Dorfman being competitive but a great sportsman who was respected by those he defeated and those who defeated Aptos High.

“I don’t think anyone can give you a bad word for him,” Gruber said.

Dorfman had plenty of personal achievements, including building an allweather track without Pajaro Valley Unified School District assistance thanks to help from many parents and the community.

Dorfman also created the Aptos High School Sports Hall of Fame and teamed up with the leadership of the Aptos Sports

Foundation to pay for the turf field, also without PVUSD assistance.

As the track coach, he helped establish the second longest girls track and field dual meet winning-streak in California history. The Mariners went 18 and 1/2 years without a loss and the team record was 122-0 from 1996-2015.

Aptos softball coach Phil Rojas Jr. was brought onboard as an assistant coach by Dorfman a little more than 11 years ago.

Rojas took over as head coach five years ago and said as new coaches come in, Dorfman guides them to where the need to be because he assumed all the coaches were going to be there for a long time.

“It’s kind of like he puts you on training wheels and then before you know it, you got it,” Rojas said. “There’s more than just coaching. It’s all the other stuff that comes with being the head coach.”

Rojas said that meant keeping all the coaches certified and legal.

“Keeping us on our toes, up to date on CCS rules,” he said.

And like most of the curent or former coaches, Rojas said he’s going to miss the little talks they had and chatting about the small things.

“I would go up there before practices maybe twice a week, into his office, just to check in I call it,” Rojas said.

Jason Biancardi graduated from Aptos High in 2001 and Dorfman was his football coach at the time.

Biancardi is now the head coach for the baseball team and has developed a special relationship with Dorfman.

“It’s one thing to get along with your AD Turn to Page 15

Mariners’ baseball players selected to SCCAL First Team

Aptos, Soquel softball players rake in all-league honors

By JUAN REYES

By JUAN REYES

Aptos High had four players earn first team honors at the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League coaches’ all-league meeting.

Senior pitcher David Eichhorn, sophomore pitcher Nathaniel Brouse, junior catcher Jack Bollengier and junior outfielder Luke Keaschall were all named to the SCCAL First Team.

“Just to get a couple of guys recognized on first team is pretty cool,” said Aptos coach Jason Biancardi. “To get four is pretty special, especially having two pitchers both be on the first team.”

Eichhorn finished the season with a 5-1 record in 10 appearances — eight starts — on the mound with a 0.93 ERA and 55 strikeouts.

Eichhorn showed up to the team last year as a transfer and Biancardi said he didn’t have quite the season he was hoping for.

Eichhorn couldn’t play until April 2 because of eligibility rules and Biancardi said it was too late for his ace pitcher to get into a rhythm.

Going into this season, the fourth-year head coach said he wasn’t sure what to expect from Eichhorn.

Eichhorn’s dad, Mark, played Major League Baseball for 11 years and won two World Series titles with the Toronto Blue Jays in the early ‘90s.

“We’ve heard a lot about David Eichhorn and he comes from a famous bloodline,” Biancardi said.

Biancardi said he was blown away during the first scrimmage of the season “You can tell from that point on he was going to be our ace and he was going to

Aptos High had a league-high five players named to the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League First Team, and Soquel High freshman Ellie Escalante was named the league’s Impact Player of the Year.

Mariners senior catcher Martina Churchill, junior infielder Shea Garcia, senior infielder Vanessa Segura, freshman pitcher Ada Neu and freshman outfielder Ashley Griffith were honored with spots on the first team.

Aptos (16-10) finished second in the SCCAL and reached the Central Coast Section Division II semifinals for the first time since 1999.

Churchill was named to the AllSCCAL First Team for a third time in four years. She made the cut last season as a first baseman and also made the team as a freshman.

Churchill batted .440 with two doubles and 35 RBIs. Aptos coach Phil Rojas Jr. said Churchill was consistent with her bat and was clutch in big moments. “(Churchill) has this loose part of her that keeps the team loose and always not too caught up in the moment,” he said.

Churchill also stepped up on the defensive side when she took over the catcher’s position following the graduation of Ashley Del Colletti.

Churchill had a .964 fielding percentage. Rojas also praised his all-league catcher for having great communication with the pitchers.

“The way she goes about the game,

Turn to Page 15

Turn to Page 15

JULY 2019

14 - LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

Highway 1 improvements underway

By TARMO HANNULA A project to resurface Highway 1 from the north Aptos undercrossing to the junction with Highway 9 in Santa Cruz is well under way, with much of the work taking place at night.

The project, which began June 3, includes upgrades to Americans With Disabilities ramps (ADA), bridge rail replacement at the Fish Hook and Ocean Street bridges, improvements to electrical systems, bridge deck treatments and the replacement of concrete barriers.

The installation of construction signs began last month and was followed by the beginning of concrete barrier replacement.

Resurfacing of the highway is expected to begin next year.

The center median work, taking place between north Aptos and Branciforte Drive calls for the demolition and removal of previous concrete center divides and their replacement.

“This is a highly trafficked area and we need to upgrade,” said Susana Cruz, public information officer for Caltrans District 5.

“Motorists should use caution when traveling through these construction zones.”

Work to create ADA ramps in 46 locations at on- and off-ramps on Highway 1 includes sites along Highway 1 at Morrissey Boulevard, Ocean Street, State Park, Soquel Avenue and Drive,

Porter Street and 41st Avenue.

Construction will take place each week Sunday night through Friday morning from 9 p.m. to no later than 6 a.m. Motorists will encounter intermittent closures of the Hwy. 1/17 connector ramps. Caltrans will announce in advance when the ramps closures will occur.

Electronic message boards will be activated to advise travelers about this roadwork.

The contractor for this $22 million project is Granite Construction of Watsonville.

“This project is expected to be complete by the end of 2020,” Cruz said.

Major highway work is underway along Highway 1 between Aptos and Highway 9 in Santa Cruz, including this center median work near 41st Avenue in Capitola. — Tarmo Hannula/LIFE

Aptos grad creates podcast about immigrants

Decline

By TODD GUILD

Continued from page 11

Erica Hernandez grew up in Watsonville, immersed in a community that has been shaped by immigrants since its founding in 1868.

These are stories of struggle and triumph, of plowing furrows into rich soil and reaping the crops that would make the Pajaro Valley an agricultural epicenter.

More so, they are stories of generations of people simply striving to work and support their families, as children grew into grandparents, and as diesel replaced the steam that replaced horse-drawn plows.

Now, with immigration

a hot-button issue that too a healing process, getting these often brings with it a stigma, stories.”

Hernandez, 37, attended Rio Hernandez is hoping to tell as Del Mar Elementary many of these stories School, Aptos Junior as she can.

High and Aptos High She has created School, and then My Immigrant Life received a degree Podcast, which in theater from UC launched a few weeks Riverside. She now ago. She is hoping the works for Driscoll’s. community will reach Her first podcast out with their own was the story of stories.

Hernandez her friend Arlette For the uninitiated, Quiñones, who came a podcast is a downloadable audio file similar from Peru with her mother as a to radio shows. They often young girl, and never knew she was undocumented until she come as series.

“I wanted to capture these was in her late teens.

She also interviewed her stories and put them out in the world,” she said. “For me it was grandmother.

For future shows, Hernandez plans to interview a Brazilian immigrant who has a Japanese father. She also hopes to talk to a Chinese friend.

“I thought, people need to hear that,” Hernandez said.

“Overall for me it’s to humanize these people and bring their stories to light.”

To submit an immigrant story online, visit linktr.ee/ myimmigrantlife.

My Immigrant Life Podcast can be found at the following sites.

• Apple Podcast: apple. co/2Woerzj • Spotify: spoti.fi/2WhWSk5 • Instagram: bit.ly/2HYESrc

Services Coordinator Rayne Marr said.

“Homelessness is unacceptably high in Santa Cruz County, with families and individuals suffering and impacts being felt throughout the community, and we hope this data marks a turning point in reducing homelessness.”

The complete 2019 PIT Count report, which includes demographic information about those surveyed and complete information about subpopulation groups, is being prepared and will be released later this summer.

The PIT Count was conducted January 31 by service providers, volunteers and navigators, and was overseen by Watsonville-based Applied Survey Research, a social research organization with nearly 40 years of experience.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR July 4 4th of July breakfast

Enjoy a traditional breakfast of pancakes, eggs, sausage, juice and coffee before the “World’s Shortest Parade” in the burger.Aptos parking lot from 7:30-10 a.m.

The breakfast is sponsored by: Kiss Catering, burger.

Aptos, Severino’s Bar & Grill, Alzheimer’s Association, New Leaf Community Markets and Starbucks.

Santa Cruz Firecracker

The Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary Club’s Firecracker Run returns to Harvey West Park for its 34th year. There are three distances — something for the whole family — a 10K, 5K and 1K for the kids.

Races start at 8 a.m.

World’s Shortest Parade Retiring Aptos/La Selva Fire Captain Greg Hansen will be the Grand Marshal of the annual “World’s Shortest Parade.” The festivities get going at 10 a.m. from the intersection of State Park Drive and Soquel Drive.

Party in the Park

Come have fun in the Aptos Village Park after the “World’s Shortest Parade” from noon to 4 p.m. There will be something for the whole family: kids games, face painting, pony rides, zorbs, bounce houses, kids crafts, food trucks, beer, wine and local band extra large. A $5 donation allows you to be part of the fun.

July 12 26th Annual Golf Tournament

The Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau and Agri-Culture are sponsoring their 26th Annual Golf Tournament at the Seascape Golf Course in Aptos. All players will receive tee prizes, lunch and a post-tournament reception. There will be special player contests on the course as well as raffle prizes during the reception. Tickets available on eventbrite.com.

July 20 Santa Cruz Mountain Challenge

The Santa Cruz County Cycling Club presents the 21st annual Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge

road cycling event. The start and end of the ride will be held at the UC Santa Cruz Baskin School of Engineering courtyard. There are four different routes to choose from: (1) the 45 miler with 2,900 feet of climbing, (2) the 75 miler with 6,700 feet of climbing, (3) the Century route with 10,300 feet of climbing and the Double Century featuring 12,550 feet of climbing. Each ride will feature challenging climbs, coastal views and gorgeous scenery. Food and hydration will be setup throughout all routes. For information: www. santacruzmountainschallenge. com.

Aptos High Class of ’09 reunion The Aptos High Class of 2009 will reunite at Beer Mule tap room in Watsonville from

5-7:30 p.m. Each ticket price will include entry, two drink tickets per person, appetizers and a light dinner. Get ready to have fun and catch up with your old classmates.

Questions: aptoshighclassof09@ gmail.com. Tickets available on eventbrite.com.

July 28 Wharf to Wharf Race

The Wharf to Wharf Race, a 6-mile footrace from the Santa Cruz Wharf to the Capitola Wharf, enters its 47th year. All proceeds go directly back to the running community and the youth of Santa Cruz County.

Race starts at 8:30 a.m. sharp from the Santa Cruz Wharf.

JULY 2019

LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel - 15

SCCAL baseball have a dominant year if he stayed healthy,” Biancardi said.

Brouse was 5-1 in 16 appearances — seven starts — for the Mariners. He recorded a 2.30 ERA and a teamBollengier high 72 strikeouts.

“The pitchers were both very deserving,” Biancardi said. “They had really stand out numbers the whole year.”

Bollengier batted .356 with four doubles, Keaschall a triple, a home run, 17 runs scored and 12 RBIs, while Keaschall batted .395 with five doubles, four triples, three home runs, 35 runs scored and 30 RBIs. “They take it serious and they’re baseball players,” Biancardi said.

Eichhorn Biancardi commended both of his juniors for their work ethic, especially during the offseason.

“They got a lot of experience as sophomores, so they came in this year with a lot of confidence that they contribute for our team and they had a very good year,”

SCCAL softball being loose and not getting too caught up… she would transfer that to the pitchers,” Rojas said.

Garcia also repeated as a first team selection. She batted .500 with nine doubles, a triple, a home run, 21 RBIs and 22 runs scored.

Garcia said she was excited for the honors but she was happier that her teammates were also recognized, especially the seniors.

“I was just really proud of them,” said Garcia about Churchill and Segura. “It’s always fun to get that kind of stuff.”

Segura finished the season batting .476 with six doubles, four triples, 27 runs scored and 15 RBIs. Griffith batted .434 with six doubles, a triple, two home runs, 30 runs scored and 14 RBIs. “I really trust the girls hitting behind me and in front of me, Vanessa (Segura) had a big year because she was getting a lot of good pitches to hit and she took advantage of that,” Garcia said.

Neu was 9-6 overall — 7-2 in league — in 19 appearances in the circle and finished with a 3.15 ERA. She recorded 151 strikeouts and allowed 44 walks.

Rojas said Neu opened a lot of eyes going into the season. The coach mentioned she joined the team as a freshman and not once

Continued from page 13

Biancardi said.

Keaschall, who made last year’s allleague second team, also had an amazing on base percentage of .495 and a .651 slugging percentage.

“I was pretty excited and honored. It’s kind of a big deal. I was happy that I had a good season and other people noticed, too,” Keaschall said.

Keachall said he was proud to see his production increase, especially in the RBI category where he went from less than 10 a year ago up to 30.

Keaschall also broke the school record for stolen bases with 25, which was one more than the previous record set by his brother, Jake.

Jake Keaschall was in the dugout when his younger brother broke his record during a league game against Santa Cruz High.

Luke’s good friend, Brady Chavez, also happened to be pitching for the Cardinals.

“I took off for third and beat it by a hair,” said Luke Keaschall. “I got back up and looked at my brother, he was just shaking his head.”

The Mariners (21-7-1) were the SCCAL runners-up and CCS D-II semifinalists.

Santa Cruz High swept the top honors.

Chavez, a junior outfielder and pitcher won Player of the Year, while senior Clayton Ray repeated as Pitcher of the Year.

Santa Cruz skipper Dustin Torchio took home his second-straight Coach of the Year award.

Continued from page 13

did she try to step on a teammate’s toes. “(Neu’s) blessed to have the talent she has as a freshman and she’s definitely going to build from her freshman year into her sophomore year,” he said. “I’m excited to wait and see what happens.”

Garcia said she also noticed Neu was playing the role of an underclassman, which is to practice hard and let the play on the field speak for itself.

“I think she did that,” Garcia said. “I think her presence was the most impressive because she didn’t make anybody feel like she was better than them.”

Escalante started her high school career with a bang, hitting .444 with 11 doubles, three home runs, 28 RBIs and 25 scored runs for the Knights.

Soquel took third in the SCCAL behind champion San Lorenzo Valley High and Aptos. Infielder Kelsey Valenzuela and outfielder Sunshyne Brechler, both juniors, were named to the SCCAL First Team.

SLV senior catcher Zoe Mendez repeated as the league’s Most Valuable Player and junior pitcher Madison Reger was named the Pitcher of the Year. Both played a huge part in helping the Cougars win an SCCAL title.

SLV coach Mark Brown was given the Coach of the Year award.

Mark Dorfman but to have a special bond is pretty cool,” Biancardi said. “He’s helped me a lot and I’ve learned a lot these past four years just with coaching.”

Biancardi said Dorfman has gone out of his way to make sure he knows the rules and is learning on the job.

“He really cares about the kids,” Biancardi said. “He’s not just there for the job, he’s there because he likes working with kids… He’s not there just overseeing things. I think it’s a passion of his and it makes it easy working with somebody like that.”

Aptos football coach Randy Blankenship said Dorfman will be irreplaceable and was the best line coach he ever had. “(Dorfman) never saw a touchdown scored, he was always watching his guys and they kept improving and improving,” Blankenship said. “He coined the phrase, ‘It’s a great day to be a Mariner’ and that’s exactly how he approached his job.”

Blankenship said the longtime athletic director made sure the coaches did their jobs because the work reflected on him.

“I think all the coaches try a little bit harder because Mark’s the guy in charge,” Blankenship said.

Blankenship said what he’ll remember the most is the day Dorfman hired him as the coach of the football team.

“He brought our family over here and gave us an opportunity and I’ll always be indebted to him for what he did for our family,” he said.

Blankenship said Dorfman is a calming, insightful person who’s always looking on the bright side of things.

Blankenship, who is entering his 10th year as the football coach, has been at eight different schools but said there’s been nobody like Dorfman, who has had a big influence for everybody at Aptos High.

Continued from page 13

Mark Dorfman, right, is stepping down after 30 years as athletic director at Aptos High. He was a coach on the football team for 26 years and watched former players like Trent Dilfer, who went on to play in the NFL and win a Super Bowl. — Contributed

“(Dorfman) has been the best athletic director I’ve had,” Blankenship said.

Dorfman said the heroes are the coaches, the student-athletes and their families.

“They do all the hard work and heavy lifting,” he wrote. “I just try to keep things running smoothly behind the scenes for all of them and not mess things up.”

Dorfman said he’s going to miss all the friendships he’s forged over the years.

Asked if there was any ultimate goal he wanted to achieve going into the job 30 years ago, he said: “Not really, I just wanted to do a good job.”

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Register-Pajaronian Aptos High senior catcher Martina Churchill made the All-SCCAL First Team. — Tony Nunez/LIFE

www.register-pajaronian.com