JANUARY 2019 EVERYTHING APTOS, CAPITOLA & SOQUEL Vol. 7 No. 5
APTOS
Tree lighting
Sports
pg. 2
Aptos football pg. 9
SOQUEL
CAPITOLA Photo by Tarmo HANNULA
This man enjoys the serenity of the view at Seacliff State Beach.
St. John’s Helpful Shop finds a new home
HISTORY CORNER By John Hibble Call: 688-1467
Store looking for donations, volunteers
Visit us online: aptoshistory.org
By JOHANNA MILLER
Visit the museum: 7605-B Old Dominion Court Aptos, CA
A community hero, part 2
Diane Scofield
By TODD GUILD
As you recall from last month’s story, Ralph Mattison owned a number of businesses in Aptos Village and he helped to organize the Aptos Volunteer Fire Department and build the first fire truck. The same people who fought fires were also first responders to emergencies. Before the concrete bridge over Aptos Creek was built in 1928, the entrance to the Village was an 1873 wooden bridge made for horses and buggies. In the middle, it contained a sharp left turn into Aptos Village. When early cars started using the bridge, they would routinely crash through the railing at night Please turn to Page 7
APTOS — When the women of the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist first opened their thrift shop, it was solely to raise money for a new carpet. Sixty-five years later, the shop has become a major means of outreach for the church, supporting numerous
Please turn to Page 6
Measure L backers face investigation CAPITOLA — Greenway Capitola, a driving force behind Measure L and outspoken opponent of efforts to expand rail services in Santa Cruz County, is facing an investigation by state elections officials for inconsistencies with campaign financial filings. In a Nov. 6 letter, the California Fair Political Practices Committee told the organization it is being investigated for several allegations,
but stopped short of stating whether those allegations are valid. Approved by voters in the Nov. 6 election, Measure L was created to bolster the bicycle and pedestrian trail throughout the county by requiring the City of Capitola to pursue non-rail options for its iconic trestle bridge. The new law also prohibits the city from creating a bike and pedestrian detour through its streets and sidewalks. Just over 52 percent of voters approved the measure.
• new/used books
• unique gifts
• children’s books
• special orders – no charge!
• 1 minute off hwy 1
Open Monday - Saturday 10am - 6pm Sunday 11am - 4pm
The investigation is a response to an Oct. 29 complaint filed by the “Capitola First – No on L” committee. According to the FPPC, Greenway Capitola initially listed itself as a General Purpose City Committee, instead of a Primarily Formed Committee, which has a stricter set of rules governing the financial information they must disclose. “By not changing its committee status as required by state law, the Please turn to Page 6
Inside ...
Thank You For Voting Us Best In The Pajaro Valley!
Watsonville’s Independent Bookstore
nonprofit organizations across the Monterey Bay area. But this summer, the shop was forced to leave the space in Capitola Village it had been at for all of those 65 years. With only a 30-day notice, volunteers were suddenly scrambling for a new location to move. “It was really emotional,” said shop
BEST of
PAJARO VALLEY
Around Aptos ......................2 Briefs .................................4-5 Guest columns ...................8 Calendar .............................10 PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID WATSONVILLE, CA PERMIT NO. 23 ******ECRWSSEDDM****** POSTAL CUSTOMER APTOS, CA 95003 CAPITOLA. CA 95010
JANUARY 2019
2 - LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel Photos by Tarmo HANNULA
Nikki Loehr, owner of the Bells on Balls business in Santa Cruz, sets up a table of her goods at the ceremony.
Light up that tree
Santa makes the rounds Dec. 1 in Aptos at the annual tree lighting ceremony. Sheriff’s deputies, firefighters, girl and boy scouts, vendors and live music added to the festivities. The event is hosted by the Aptos Chamber of Commerce.
APTOS
SOQUEL
CAPITOLA
CHAMBER
OF
COMMERCE
January 2019
By KAREN HIBBLE
Publisher
Jeanie Johnson
Editor
Erik Chalhoub
Editorial
Todd Guild Johanna Miller Tony Nuñez Tarmo Hannula
Photography
Tarmo Hannula
Advertising Sales Tina Chavez Jazmine Ancira
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 RegisterPajaronian. Publishing in Santa Cruz County since 1868.
Contact Us
831-761-7300 newsroom@register-pajaronian.com
LifeA.C.S
APTOS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Happy New Year to all. Sign your business up today to be a part of our 34th annual Business Showcase, to be held at Seascape Beach Resort on Feb. 20. This Showcase is a great way for businesses and community groups to network with each other and with our residents. This is the original business showcase in Santa Cruz County. Call the Aptos Chamber today at 688-1467 to find out more information, mark your calendars for Feb. 20, and be a part of this great community event. Thank you for shopping locally this holiday season. Your community appreciates your support. Welcome to Companion Bakery in Aptos Center. We are lucky to have a
world class baker right here in Aptos. We are asking everyone to take the pledge to Not Text and Drive! Sponsored by the California Highway Patrol, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, the Aptos/La Selva Fire Department, the Aptos Chamber and Aptos Life. Please help us get the word out. The life you save may be your own. Distracted driving is the cause of many accidents every day. Thank you for all you do to make our community a better place to work, live and enjoy. ••• Karen Hibble is the coexecutive director of the Aptos Chamber of Commerce.
New safety center to open in Aptos Staff report APTOS — A new mid-county safety center will open in the new Aptos Village development in early 2019, county officials announced. The new center is the first multi-agency public safety center in the county. It will include a relocation of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office substation formerly located in the Rancho Del Mar shopping center, as well as offices for the Santa Cruz County District Attorney, Santa Cruz County Probation Department and County Supervisor Zach Friend. “Establishing essential services within our community helps increase public safety while furthering the connection between residents and their government,” Friend said. “Once completed, I look forward to welcoming residents to these offices.” The 3,200-square-foot space will include offices, equipment and meeting space and house an outreach center for the DA’s consumer affairs and environmental protection staff and probation staff. “I’m excited that my office, for the first time, will be able to meet with the people we work so hard to protect at a dedicated mid-county location,” District Attorney Jeff Rosell said. “This is a wonderful contribution to public safety in Santa Cruz County.” Currently in the latter stages of construction, Phase I of the Aptos Village development is expected to open in the coming months. It includes a mix of new market rate and affordable housing, commercial tenants and offices. “Once we move in and get settled, I look forward to hosting a grand opening community celebration for the new substation,” Sheriff Jim Hart said. “This new center will support public safety by providing deputies a place to conduct business and interact with the public, and will be a valuable community resource.”
JANUARY 2019
LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel - 3
Offering ‘another chance’ Watsonville/Aptos/Santa Cruz Adult Education celebrates 90 years
Nancy Bilicich, director of Watsonville/Aptos/Santa Cruz Adult Education, is joined by assistant director, Todd Livingstone, during a celebration of the 90th anniversary of the school on Dec. 3. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
By TODD GUILD WATSONVILLE — A contingent of politicians, educators and residents gathered in Watsonville/Aptos/Santa Cruz Adult Education’s Rodriguez Street location Dec. 3 to help ring in the institution’s 90th anniversary. With dozens of classes on tap, the school boasts more than 3,000 students and more than 100 teachers. Adult education in California got its start in 1856 in a San Francisco church, giving newly arrived immigrants from China, Ireland and Italy a chance to learn English and gain skills needed to carve out a living for themselves and their families. Watsonville got its version in 1928, and has provided the same services for the past nine decades. Many come hoping to improve their language skills or become a U.S. citizen, while others get their GED or high school diploma. Many more come hoping to get a jump-start on a career, with courses such as Certified Nursing Assistant and Pharmacy Technician. “We give people another chance,” said adult school Director Nancy Bilicich. WASC took Santa Cruz Adult Education under its wing in 2016 after financial troubles threatened closure. PVUSD Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez praised the program, which
she said has had an impact on the entire community. “It provides an opportunity for our adult learners to have a place not only to express their passions but also to persevere,” she said. “A lot of times we have challenges and obstacles along the way in our lives, and many times at the moment that stops us. What I appreciate about adult ed is that it allows us to have opportunities past that obstacle.” California Congressman Jimmy Panetta said that adult education helps people when they realize they want to make a change in their lives. “It’s giving people the opportunity to pivot, to do what they need to do to stay in this community, and also be contributing to this community,” he said. WASC student April Ortiz said she has struggled with poverty and occasional homelessness. At WASC, she said she has earned her GED and is planning to take classes that will help her earn a nursing degree. “I wouldn’t have been able to make it this far without the amazing teachers who genuinely want their students to succeed,” she said.
PVUSD bids farewell to longtime board members
By TODD GUILD
WATSONVILLE — The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees on Dec. 12 said farewell to members Willie Yahiro, Leslie De Rose and Jeff Ursino during the annual organizational meeting, which also was a time to swear in three new trustees. The district boardroom was packed with teachers, administrators and community members, who came to pay tribute to Ursino, who has sat on the board for eight years, and De Rose, who has served for 12. But the biggest accolades were reserved for Yahiro, who has served continuously since he was elected in 1990. PVUSD Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez called Yahiro a “cornerstone of the community.” “He has done a great job, and we are so appreciative of all his work,” Rodriguez said. Trustee Kim De Serpa, who was appointed to her seat in lieu of election, gave a short speech in honor of De Rose. “I’ve always been impressed by your calm demeanor and your commitment,” De Serpa said. “It is sometimes a thankless job, and you did it beautifully.” De Rose said her departure was “bittersweet.” “But I’m very excited about spending more time with my family,” De Rose said. In his farewell speech, Ursino praised the district teachers. “It’s a lot of work to educate the youth of this district,” he said.
Ursino added that he is excited about the direction in which the district is going. “We’re all rooting for you,” he told the new trustees. •••
A conversation with Willie Yahiro
A 1959 Watsonville High School graduate, Yahiro served continuously on the board of trustees since he was elected in 1990. He taught at his alma mater for 12 years and coached athletics. In an interview Tuesday with this newspaper, Yahiro said he was “a little sad” about his loss, but said he is excited about the future of the district. He said that the new board is taking leadership of a district that has been rebuilt from the layoffs and cutbacks of the 2008 recession. “We’re leaving the district in a fine financial shape,” he said. “Good things are happening everywhere. Music and art are coming back.” Yahiro lost his Trustee Area 4 seat to Daniel Dodge Jr. by just 50 votes in the Nov. 6 election, a victory that came largely thanks to the endorsements of the Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers and the California School Employees Association. Those unions also endorsed Jennifer Schacher, who beat incumbent Leslie De Rose with more than 68 percent of the vote, and Jennifer Holm, who bested Bill Beecher with more than 72 percent. Yahiro said that the new trustees
publicly stated during the campaign that talk about his past accomplishments. they favored giving teachers raises, and “Campaigns are not about the past,” accused the incumbents of opposing them. he said. “It’s about the future. One of the “Everything else really didn’t matter,” reasons I like to be around young people is that they are excited about what’s coming Yahiro said. Yahiro, 77, who owns Yahiro Insurance, up tomorrow. “It’s wonderful to build schools and all said he plans to cut back his time there and eventually turn the business over to Blanca that, but the thing is, what are we going Medrano, who has worked with him for 27 to do now that’s going to impact kids’ futures?” years. “I just want to thank the voters for many, The Dec. 12 meeting marked Yahiro’s retirement from community service. He many years of giving me the opportunity,” plans to travel locally to places such as he said. Monterey, Carmel and Salinas. “You can be busy and be a tourist for a while,” he said. “I’m excited about that.” Looking back on his time as a trustee, Yahiro said he is proud of the new senior requirement for one year of career and vocational classes, a move he said will serve the 30 percent of students who choose not to go to college. But in talking about the impending end of his time as a Pajaro Valley Unified School District Trustee Maria Orozco (left) listens as Trustee Willie Yahiro gives a farewell speech trustee, Yahiro said in his last meeting after 28 years on the board Dec. 12. Photo he didn’t want to by Todd Guild
JANUARY 2019
4 - LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
SC BEACH BOARDWALK
LEADERSHIP S.C.
Leadership Santa Cruz County searching for new executive director “Bumblebee” Director Travis Knight gives instructions to some of the film’s actors on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Boardwalk featured in latest ‘Transformers’ film Staff report SANTA CRUZ — The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk can be seen in Paramount Picture’s new “Transformers” spin-off movie “Bumblebee,” which is now playing in theaters. Bumblebee’s large production spent two days filming on the “Brighton Falls Boardwalk” in September 2017. Many local extras, including some Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk employees were hired for the Boardwalk scenes. “It’s always exciting for our staff to work with Hollywood, especially on professional projects of this scale,” said Brigid Fuller, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk publicist. “We really enjoyed our part in ‘Bumblebee’ and look forward to seeing ourselves on the big screen.” The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has scenes in many Hollywood movies, including the cult-classic vampire movie “The Lost Boys,” Clint Eastwood’s “Sudden Impact,” as well as “The Sting II,” “Killer Clowns from Outer Space” and many other feature films and TV programs. In addition, director Jordan Peele’s latest film, “Us,” set for release in March, was also filmed at the Boardwalk.
Staff report APTOS — Following the retirement announcement of long-time Executive Director David Vincent, Leadership Santa Cruz County has begun its search for a new executive director. The executive director position is a parttime position that works under the direction of the nonprofit organization’s board of directors. Applicants should be familiar with the innerworkings of Santa Cruz County, its decision makers, and current affairs. The executive director plans and coordinates the annual program for each class year. The application deadline is Jan. 25 and additional information is available on the Leadership Santa Cruz County website at www.leadershipsantacruzcounty. org. Leadership Santa Cruz County was founded in 1985 to enhance the civic participation of emerging community leaders. More than 1,400 individuals have graduated from the program since then. Leadership alums occupy positions of responsibility on boards of directors, commissions, advisory councils for nonprofit organizations, local government agencies, schools, neighborhood groups and many others. The mission of Leadership Santa Cruz County is to educate, motivate, and increase the awareness of individuals in leadership roles in Santa Cruz County, enabling them to address the current and future issues, needs and opportunities facing the county. Those interested in applying for the executive director position are asked to submit a resume and a minimum of three references to LMurphy@ cityofsantacruz.com.
PACIFIC COLLEGIATE SCHOOL
Pacific Collegiate School seeks board members
Staff report SANTA CRUZ — The Pacific Collegiate School (PCS) Board of Directors is looking for individuals interested in applying for board service. The board is responsible for ensuring that PCS continues to meet the goals of its stated mission and vision by providing financial, strategic and policy governance. Applicants should be aware that the board is a working, actively engaged body with an approximate 40-hour per month commitment. The board is seeking three individuals to commence provisional board service in March. The PCS Board considers applicants from all backgrounds, and the nomination committee’s decisions are guided by the need to fulfill specific functional areas on the board. This year, candidates with experience in financial governance, legal, and/ or nonprofit volunteering are encouraged to apply. The deadline to submit the application and related documents is Jan. 25 at 3 p.m. All application documents must be submitted as PDF files. Interviews for selected candidates will be held in the afternoon/evening of Feb. 11 at PCS. Members of the PCS Board will host a Board Service Information Session for all interested applicants on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 9am in the student center at Pacific Collegiate School, 3004 Mission St. in Santa Cruz. For information, visit www.pacificcollegiate. com/apps/pages/board-of-directors. Questions should be directed to Diana Holm, nominations committee chair, at diana.holm@pcsed.org.
GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE
Art & Play in the Pre & K!
Sunday, January 27, 2019 1:00-3:00
January 10, 9:30 am
Campus Tour
January 24, 10:30 am
Celebrating 55 Years of Empowering Students to Believe, Achieve, Serve and Lead!
All Faiths are Welcome! Preschool through 8th Grade Half & Full Day Preschool Full Day Kindergarten Extended Care Available Art, Life Lab, Spanish and Big Buddy Program Middle School Overnight Field Trips: Camp Sea Lab, Yosemite & Colonial Virginia Afterschool Sports: Basketball, Golf, Lacrosse, Flag Football, Soccer, Volleyball, Track & Cross Country
www.facebook.com/gscsschool/
2727 Mattison Lane Santa Cruz 831-476-4000 www.gsschool.org
@gogsrams
Good Shepherd Catholic School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, nationality and/or ethnic origin, age or gender in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loans programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
Join us for a tour and stay for a preview show!
• • • • •
the musical
Preschool – 12th grade
CAIS & WASC accredited Nonsectarian Independent, nonprofit school 355-acre campus among a redwood forest and hilltop meadows • Bus transportation • Financial assistance available
408-847-2717
MountMadonnaSchool.org
JANUARY 2019
LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel - 5
SATURDAY SHAKESPEARE
TICK ADVISORY
TWIN LAKES CHURCH
Shakespeare series returns in January
Residents cautioned about tick-borne diseases
Twin Lakes Church project raises 1M pounds for food bank, $100K for fire relief
Staff report APTOS — A New York-based theater director and play creator will be one of the speakers at the Saturday Shakespeare Club which begins its new morning series of discussions at 10 a.m. on Jan. 12 in Christ Lutheran Church, 10707 Soquel Drive in Aptos. Jessica Bauman, who — among other things — has staged plays using immigrants and refugees in re-imagined versions of Shakespeare’s “Henry V” (called “Into the Hazard”) and “As You Like It” (called “Arden Everywhere”), will speak to the club on Feb. 2. “I revel in the glory of language and its theatrical potential,” said Bauman, artistic director of New Feet Productions. “I want to capture the ways people actually talk … that crack the surface to reveal what’s really going on.” Speaking to the club on the initial Saturday, Jan. 12, will be Michael Warren, dramaturg for Santa Cruz Shakespeare and Also speaking to the group will be Conrad Scott-Curtis, who teaches Shakespeare at Cabrillo College, on Jan. 19. Warren is a frequent lecturer for the Saturday Club and Scott-Curtis has spoken to the group several times. On Jan. 26, the group will see a DVD of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s celebration of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. And on Feb. 9, the club will hold a potluck and show a DVD of “Merry Wives of Windsor.” All gatherings are open to the public and last from 10 a.m. to shortly after noon, except for the potluck, which begins at 9:30 a.m. and usually lasts until 1:30 p.m. The gatherings are $2 per session or $10 for all five meetings. The money is used to pay the rental fees for the church and a small donation to a charity of choice for each of the speakers. For information, email saturdayshakespeare@ gmail.com.
We are excited to announce that Dr. Patricia Wilson will joining the Aptos-Creekside team full time beginning 12/14/2018. Dr. Wilson has been at Santa Cruz Veterinary Hospital for the last 6 years. Prior to this, Dr. Wilson cared for the critters of Aptos for 15 years out of Del Mar Pet Hospital. Dr. Wilson is a licensed Chinese Acupuncturist and Chinese Herbalist and holds a special place in her heart for the geriatric population and physical rehabilitation. Join us in welcoming her!
Staff report SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — The Santa Cruz County Mosquito and Vector Control (SCCMVC) Division reminds residents that winter is the season for the western black-legged tick (Ixodes pacificus), the primary vector of Lyme disease and other tickborne illnesses in Santa Cruz County. The risk of being bitten by ticks may be reduced with the following precautions: • Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts. • Walk in the center of trails and avoid logs, tree trunks, trail margins, brush and tall grass. • Shower and thoroughly check your entire body for ticks after time outdoors. Parents should examine their children, especially on the scalp and hairline. • Keep your pets on trails as well, and check and remove ticks after time outdoors. • Use EPA-registered repellent for use against ticks; always follow label directions. Products with a concentration of 20 percent DEET or higher, and/or treating clothes and shoes with permethrin before entering tick habitat are recommended. • Launder clothes (and dry on high heat) soon after activity in tick habitat. Removing a tick within 24 hours after it attaches can prevent transmission of Lyme diseases and other tick-borne diseases. For information, call 454-2590 or email PestHelp@agdept.com. Residents can also visit SCCMVC at www.agdept.com under “Mosquito Abatement/Vector Control.”
Dr. Patricia Wilson
“Healthy” New Year! Look no further than Aptos-Creekside Pet Hospital for your best choice in pet care. Our highly-skilled veterinarians and staff offer you diverse services that include: • Wellness Exams • Microchips • Laser Therapy • Radiology Services • Parasite & Flea Control Programs • Small Animal Surgery & Anesthesia • Puppy & Kitten Packages • Diagnostic, Therapeutic & Preventative Services
$
25off
WELLNESS EXAM OFFER VALID FOR NEW AND EXISTING CLIENTS: BRING IN THIS COUPON TO RECEIVE $25 OFF YOUR PET’S WELLNESS EXAM. Offer does not apply for emergency exams. Offer excludes products and medications and cannot be combined with any other offer.
Promotion Code: ACJAN19 Expires: 1/31/19
• Behavioral & Dietary Counseling
Call 831.688.4242 to schedule an appointment 10404 Soquel Drive, Aptos • aptos-creeksidepets.com
Staff report APTOS — Twin Lakes Church’s “Kindness Projects” raised more than one million pounds of food for Second Harvest Food Bank, $104,000 for Northern California fire relief and more, the church announced recently. “I am in tears,” said Willy Elliott-McCrea, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank, when presented with the church’s check. “Completely speechless.” The food drive was part of a larger kindness campaign: Church members were encouraged to spot large and small ways to be kind. The church then made “kindness grants” available to help fund their ideas. “We focused on doing Kindness Projects because incivility is such a problem in our culture right now,” said René Schlaepfer, Twin Lakes Church senior pastor. Schlaepfer said he believes that’s particularly a problem for churches. “As people of faith, kindness should define us,” he said. “But a common perception is that we’d rather start a fight than do a kindness. So we wanted to do our part to change that narrative.” Schlaepfer added that the Kindness Projects are not just about being nice. “Kindness has more power than we imagine,” he said. “It has the power to break down walls, promote healing, and really change the world. And we believe our kindness grows out of God’s kindness to us.”
St. John’s
Continued from page 1
manager Diane Scofield. “We’d been there for so long. We were really sad to leave that community.” St. John’s Helpful Shop found a new home this month at 246A Center Ave., just around the corner from the Episcopal Church in Aptos. The space had previously held The Word Shop, a small bookstore owned by Alliee DeArmond that had been there for more than 20 years. DeArmond, a member of the parish, approached Scofield about the use of the space, as she had decided to close the bookstore. “So far it’s worked out great,” Scofield said. “We’ve certainly felt supported by this community already.” St. John’s Helpful Shop offers shoppers an eclectic choice of clothing to decorations and homewares. On Tuesday morning, Aptos resident James Clark, who lives just down the street from the shop, came in to drop off some items — everything from music boxes to hand-painted plates. “We’ve gotten a lot of people just stopping by like that,” Scofield said.
Measure L
jjohnson@register-pajaronian.com
Calendaremail
our
in
events
your
“People are interested. They seem excited about us being here.” In 2018, the shop helped support organizations such as Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes, Native Animal Rescue, Homeless Services Center and more. The deadline passed in December for groups to apply for 2019 grants; a committee will soon come to a decision as to what organizations will receive them. On Feb. 17, the grants will be handed out at the Helpful Shop Grants Luncheon. Volunteers are currently needed at the shop — Scofield urges any community members interested to contact her at sco4148@aol.com or 332-7711. The shifts are only a few hours long, and can count as community service in some cases, she said. “It was hard to leave Capitola,” Scofield said. “But we’re so happy to be open again. Hopefully we’ll have just as much success here.” St. John’s Helpful Shop is open MondaySaturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For information, visit st-john-aptos.org.
Diane Scofield receives donations from James Clark of Aptos at St. John’s Helpful Shop’s new location in Aptos. Photo by Johanna Miller
Continued from page 1
committee avoided required 24-hour contribution disclosures; violated state law by listing campaign expenditures as independent expenditures; violated state law by not including accrued and nonmonetary expenditures in its reporting; and otherwise tried to mislead the City and the voting public,” the letter read. In addition, Greenway incorrectly listed $5,381 of “Yes on Measure L” expenditures as independent expenditures. The committee also failed to list “presumably substantive” legal fees it received when the City of Capitola unsuccessfully challenged the proposed measure, the letter said. The FPPC also accused Greenway Capitola of not listing the help it
Include
JANUARY 2019
6 - LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
received from Santa Cruz County Greenway — which included providing numerous paid staff for door-to-door campaign activities, and providing signs and literature — as “non-monetary contributions.” Perhaps the most damning allegation in the letter was the assertion that Capitola City Clerk Linda Fridy repeatedly warned Greenway about the possible violations. “Given the warnings issued by the City Clerk, it’s doubtful that these violations of FPPC law were unintentional,” the letter said. “The 460s indicate no accrued expenses or non-monetary contributions.” Santa Cruz County Greenway Executive Director Manu Koenig
provided a response letter from Capitola Greenway, which stated, “It is unfortunate that the No on L Campaign, which lost a fair election in Capitola, cannot graciously accept the will of the voters, and has now resorted to making false statements about the Yes on L campaign.” “The Yes on L campaign is aware of its campaign reporting obligations and has disclosed, and will continue to disclose, all receipts and expenditures as required by law,” the letter continued. If the violations are found to be true, state regulators can send a warning letter or impose fines of up to $5,000 per violation. They can also pursue criminal charges, if the allegations warrant them.
Drive Like Your Loved One’s Life Depends On It
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:
Village Fitness Center hosts fundraiser On Dec. 16, Seascape Village Fitness partnered with Santa Cruz Children’s Charities to host the 10th Annual Beauty Bash Fundraiser to benefit local families in need. This year they raised more than $16,000, which is being distributed to CASA of Santa Cruz County, The Good Dogs Foundation, and two families who where victims of the Camp Fire in Paradise. Santa Cruz Children’s Charities is a nonprofit organization which was started in 2003 by nine local women. Their mission is to help children and families of the community who are in need.
JANUARY 2019
History Corner
LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel - 7 Continued from page 1
and land in the creek 100 feet below. One night, Ralph Mattison and Paul Johnson nearly crashed themselves. They found five automobiles down in the creek. They saved the living and removed the dead. One time, they had to rescue a man who was thrown out of his car and was lodged in the top of a redwood tree beside the creek. Despite the advertisements by the Rio Del Mar promoters that this was one of the safest beaches in the state, many bathers had to be saved. In the 1920s, most people wore heavy wool swim suits and often hung onto ropes to enter the water because they could not swim. There were no lifeguards. A lot of people came to the beach in those days from San Jose and they would often get into trouble. Ralph was not alone in rescuing people, but he personally saved seven people from drowning. Only one person ever thanked him. Ralph was also a deputy Sheriff and was a trustee of the Aptos School (today’s Valencia Elementary). In the late 1920s, Ralph was one of the founders of the Citizen’s Commercial Bank in Soquel. It closed for a time during the Depression, so Ralph continued to lend money privately to those who needed it. Some of his loans were never repaid. After the bank reopened, it was eventually sold to County Bank. Ralph Mattison even owned the concrete ship for a short time. In 1934, after the
ship had broken and had been stripped, Art Wikkerink, a fruit packer in the Village, purchased it and the wharf from the owners, the Calvada Company. He charged people to use it for fishing. Wikkerink owed Ralph some unpaid bills, so he gave Ralph the deed to the ship. Ralph did not record the deed because he did not want to pay property taxes on it but kept the deed for a year-and-a-half. Eventually, Art paid off his bills and Ralph gave him back the deed. While he owned it, Ralph removed the running lights from the ship, which he later donated to the Seacliff Museum. During World War II, Ralph was a Deputy Warden and was in charge of the local militia and the observation post in Aptos Village. A three-story tower was erected in the middle of the Village to view and report on the activities in the bay. Thick telephone lines were laid directly on the ground to Ralph’s house. He had direct lines to Fort Ord and Army Headquarters in San Francisco (no dialing, just pick up the receiver). He was also in charge of two, four-inch cannons located in the Village. Ralph also supplied dried apples to the war effort. The Army wanted to pay whenever it was convenient. Ralph had to negotiate to be paid on a regular basis so that he could pay his crew. Then he had to go to San Francisco to talk to the General who talked to Washington D.C., in order to negotiate for the wood to make boxes for the dried apples. The worst part was that
A 1942 photo of a watch tower built in Aptos by Ralph Mattison and friends. Aptos History Museum archives
the Army did not want to give him nails to make the boxes because they needed the steel to build warships. It is a good thing
Aptos' first fire engine is shown in this undated photo. Aptos History Museum archives
that Ralph was a good negotiator, or it would never have worked out. Ralph survived an explosion in the 1940s. He was welding a lawn mower for a friend when a spark ignited an open cask of gunpowder. Ralph’s recovery took over three months in the hospital and he was lucky that he did not lose his arm and shoulder. Eventually, Ralph decided to retire. Ralph’s wife Hazel passed away in 1980 after almost 62 years of marriage. Ralph credits her as the reason for their successes. Ralph Mattison passed away on the Fourth of July 1999, 102 years young. He was a heroic part of the fabric of our town. His house on Mattison Lane, on the hill above Aptos Village, has been replaced with several new homes. Our next “Coffee, Tea and History” presentation will be “The Death and Life of the Monterey Bay.” It is the compelling history of the decimation of the bay’s marine life and the heroic people who helped to revive it. Our speaker is Dan Haifley of O’Neill Sea Odyssey and Save Our Shores. Saturday, Jan. 26, 2:30-4 p.m. at the Rio Sands Hotel community room, reservations are required. This story is also the “Our Community Reads” book for 2019. $20 general, $10 for museum members and guests with a library card. Don’t miss it!
Tools to Make Parenting Easier
First 5 Santa Cruz County triplep.first5scc.org 831.465.2217
JANUARY 2019
8 - LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
Second District Update - Reflections on my sixth year as your County Supervisor
By ZACH FRIEND
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY SUPERVISOR
As I begin each new year as your County Supervisor, I like to report back in this column on some of the things we’ve accomplished because of your partnership and communication of priorities. Here is a very small overview of what we accomplished in 2018: Community Meetings: In 2018, we’ve
held more than 70 open office hours in Aptos, Corralitos, La Selva Beach and Watsonville and held or attended nearly 50 community and neighborhood meetings in Seacliff, La Selva, Aptos, Watsonville, Capitola and Corralitos. In addition, I’ve written over 50 columns in local papers and neighborhood newsletters to communicate with our district about county happenings. Housing: The Board focused extensively this year on making the construction of affordable housing easier. One of my main focus areas was on reducing the burden for constructing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). ADUs (sometimes called “granny units”) are one of the quickest ways to improve the housing stock — especially the affordable housing stock. The Board adopted a proposal I brought forward to waive nearly all county fees associated with ADU construction for the next three years. Additionally, the Board continued to streamline the process so that most permits for ADUs can be done over the counter. The Board prohibited these ADUs from becoming vacation rentals to ensure the units become long-term rentals or an on-site living location for seniors aging in place, for example. Additionally, the Board approved density bonuses to incentive affordable housing construction — maximizing available land space for smaller, affordable (often deed-restricted
affordable) units. Local Roads: While we continue to repair the over $130 million in damage to local roads and county facilities after the storms a few years ago, we have also begun road work associated with the passage of Measure D. Many roads in La Selva were repaired this first year with work coming in the next few years to Seacliff, Rio Del Mar and part of Corralitos. Storm damage repairs planned for the coming year, which require funding and sign-offs from state and federal agencies as well, can be found on the Public Works website (under the SB1 funding link). Public Safety: Additional Sheriff’s deputies were hired placing more front line staff on the streets in our district. With the passage of Measure G in November, the Sheriff’s Office will be creating a new directed enforcement team with Behavioral Health staff to address individuals that are high impact (meaning they consume a lot of resources) but also refuse services. This will allow the Sheriff’s Office to address these individuals in a new way. As a note, overall crime rates in the unincorporated area are at some of their lowest levels compared to the last 40 years. Economic Vitality and Reserves: The Board again continued to increase our reserves, something that we have done the last few years, which has led to improved
bond ratings and lower borrowing costs. The reserves will also help provide some protection of services during a recession should one come in the next few years. Moving Forward: The above is just a partial list of what we’ve done this year and I know there is a lot more to do on all of these issues in 2019. We made significant progress on parks (with a new pump track at Pinto Lake Park and Measure G funding that will allow us to build LEO’s Haven all-inclusive park and make improvements in our district to Aptos Village Park and other parks), moved through a strategic planning process that guides decision making (including moving toward a two-year budget process for better data collection and programmatic review), began to upgrade our libraries as a result of Measure S and much more. This past year we estimate that we addressed more than 750 direct requests for service to our office on transportation and road issues, neighborhood public safety concerns, storm damage, environmental issues, health and human services, technology services and more — all from your emails, visits during office hours and calls to us. ••• We’d love to continue to hear from you to prioritize what we do. Call us at 4542200 and have a great New Year!
Financial Advice
The role of the Federal Reserve By GARY E. CROXALL, CFP® and SOREN E. CROXALL, CFP® The Federal Reserve and its chairman, Jerome Powell, seem to be in the news a lot more frequently than in recent memory. While previous administrations have privately sparred with the Federal Reserve over their policies, it is pretty unprecedented for the executive branch to publicly criticize and attack the Federal Reserve and its chairman. We thought this month’s article would be a good time to talk about the role of the Fed and how their policies impact you.
Brief history and overall structure The Federal Reserve was formed in 1913 when President Woodrow Wilson signed
the Federal Reserve Act. The law created an independent agency, the Board of Governors, and 12 regional Federal Reserve Banks throughout the country. It’s important to point out that the Federal Reserve is not funded by Congress. It is funded mainly through the interest it earns on the securities it owns. In the broadest definition of the role of the Federal Reserve, it is responsible for the following: setting monetary policy, supervising and regulating banking institutions, maintaining stability of the financial system, and providing financial services to depository institutions, the U.S. Government, and foreign official institutions. (Source: federalreserve. gov). Since 1977, the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy goals have come to be known as the “dual mandate,” which are the “goal of maximum employment” and “goals of stable prices and moderate long term interest rates.”
Monetary policy Even though the Federal Reserve has several responsibilities, the one that gets the most attention and the one we will focus on is monetary policy. If we look closer at the dual mandate, monetary policy boils down to two goals: maximize employment while keeping inflation low. How the Federal Reserve tries to do that can be likened to walking a tight-rope. If you focus too much on one, the other tends to suffer. The three traditional tools that the Federal Reserve has at its disposal to conduct monetary policy are: open market operations, manipulation of the discount rate, and changing of reserve requirements for banks. If the Federal Reserve is utilizing expansionary monetary policy, it may lower the target federal funds rate as well as buy securities from banks in order to inject liquidity by increasing the money supply. When banks have more money in their reserves to lend, they in turn will lower their federal funds rate (the rate banks charge to loan to other banks) in order to lend out their excess reserves to other banks. The goal of expansionary monetary policy is to spur economic growth but a side effect might be increasing inflation. Right now, what we are currently seeing is a contractionary monetary policy from the Federal Reserve. Since unemployment is at record low levels and economic growth has been strong, the concern is that the economy can “overheat.” The Federal Reserve has had to figure out a way of lifting the target federal fund rate off the floor in order to tamp inflation but not slow economic growth. It has been slowly increasing the target federal funds rate periodically since December 2015 and selling securities in order to shrink the money supply.
What monetary policy means for you In the past 10 years, consumers and businesses have gotten used to cheap credit. Considering that the federal funds
rate was close to 5.25 percent in 2006 and as of September 2018 sits at 2.25 percent, it’s still pretty low. However, the Federal Reserve took (and quite frankly needed to take) extraordinary action during the Great Recession. One of the tools it used was lowering the target federal funds to close to zero by December 2008 in order to try and maintain liquidity in the credit markets. By gradually increasing the target federal funds rate it means that if in the future, the Federal Reserve needs to cut rates again, it at least has the ability to do so. In the meantime, higher interest rates means borrowing money will be more expensive for both consumers and business. If businesses carry a lot of debt on their balance sheets, this can be problematic in the longer term. Also, generally speaking, as interest rates increase, bond prices tend to decrease. However, not all bonds react the same way. Stock are more indirectly affected by rising interest rates. On the one hand, if you view that interest rate increases often coincide with a strong economy, this may be a positive sign for stocks. On the other hand, stock prices are often affected by expectations about future cash flows and earnings. If a company’s borrowing costs increase, this may affect their profitability. Gary E. Croxall, CFP® Registered Principal of LPL Soren E. Croxall, CFP® Registered Representative of LPL Securities and Advisory Services offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Advisor. 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.
JANUARY 2019
SPORTS
LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel - 9
WITH
TONY NUNEZ Aptos overwhelmed by sizable McClymonds in 4-A final By TONY NUNEZ APTOS — McClymonds head coach Michael Peters lovingly called 5-foot-11, 226-pound running back Jarmar Julien a “big piece of meat” while recalling his offensive game plan on Dec. 8. “I didn’t think they could hit that big body that many times without hurting themselves,” Peters said. He was right. The Aptos Mariners — battered and bruised by the end of the night — did their best Rocky Balboa impression, swinging away at the “big piece of meat” over and over again, but there was no fairy tale ending for the group of scrappy underdogs. The postseason run of dreams came to an end in the California Interscholastic Federation NorCal 4-A championship game. McClymonds, a juggernaut from Oakland with a handful of kids that will play on Saturdays for college programs in the near future, ended it with a 28-20 win. “Hell of a ride, hell of a ride,” said Aptos head coach Randy Blankenship. “We didn’t finish it the way we wanted to, but we lost to a really big, physical, wellcoached football team. I don’t think we left anything in our tank.” A week removed from knocking off Central Coast Section power Sacred Heart Prep for the Open Division III title, Aptos (11-3) — the first team from Santa Cruz County to play in a NorCal bowl — had a chance to force overtime against McClymonds (11-2), a back-to-back state champion. With the help of a pair of penalties, the Mariners moved down to the Warriors’ 26-yard line, but the possible game-tying drive came to a screeching halt, and so too did a season full of record-breaking
Your
performances. At the top of the list: Marcos Reyes’s impressive senior campaign in which the 5-foot-8, 190-pound running back broke the program record for rushing yards in a season (1,832) and career (3,582). He also broke the program’s single-season (218) and a career (344) points record, and the program’s single-season (35) and career (58) touchdown record. “I had the best teammates that I could ask for,” said Reyes, who ran 24 times for 78 yards and three touchdowns, and also played well on defense at linebacker. “I had the best head coach in the nation. I had the best family support. The best student section I could ask for. Best friends supporting me. I’m going to miss it.” Reyes said he has plans to play in college, but has yet to make a decision on what path to take. Blankenship, who has had dozens of college football players and a few pros over his 40-plus years on the sideline, called Reyes one of the best he’s ever coached. “Who ever gets him, they’re going to get a diamond,” Blankenship said. “A finely cut diamond. What he has in here,” the coach said pointing to his chest, “is unreal.” Peters, whose son, Marcus, plays cornerback for the Los Angeles Rams, said he was thoroughly impressed with Reyes, and would work the phones to get a him a few looks from college coaches. “He’s a tough kid,” Peters said of Reyes. “He deserves a shot somewhere.” Julien, who is mulling over a few NCAA Division I opportunities, finished with 199 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 22 carries. His final touchdown of the night, a beastly 30-yard romp through a handful of Aptos defenders with 6:23 left, gave McClymonds enough breathing room to
Natural Look
hang on. His backfield buddy, 5-foot11, 200-pound senior Adi Anderson — a future San Jose State Spartan, added 163 yards rushing, and the go-ahead touchdown with 3:25 left in the third quarter. The Warriors’ duo turned several defenders into crash dummies, drawing “oohs” from the standing-room-only crowd of more than 2,000 upon impact. They forced a few Aptos players to exit the game. One of the biggest losses: junior Aptos senior running back Marcos Reyes (6) is linebacker Dre Gomez, who dragged down to the turf by a McClymonds checked out with an eye injury defender during Dec. 8’s CIF NorCal 4-A during the third quarter and did championship game at Trevin Dilfer Field. Photo not return. by Tony Nunez “It hurt,” Reyes said of Gomez’s absence. “That’s an allover the last two quarters, as McClymonds league linebacker right there.” senior linebacking trio of Islee Cassidy Reyes had rushing scores of 1, 3 (6-foot-2, 225 pounds), Monte Smith (6and 11 yards on the night. His first two 1, 215) and Javanz Dornners (6-2, 220) touchdowns put the Mariners up 14-0, but plugged most of the running lanes. the Warriors put points up just 22 seconds “They were just everywhere,” Reyes later on Julien’s 19-yard touchdown run, said. “Everywhere I looked, I saw white which was set up by Daveonne Sanders’ and orange.” 67-yard kick off return. Reyes is one of 17 seniors who helped Aptos went into the half up 14-7, lead the program to its fourth CCS title but its record-setting offense went cold this decade and first since 2015, a feat in the third quarter and McClymonds that many thought was a pipe dream after made enough plays to push its winning Aptos lost back-to-back games against streak to 10 games and return to a state Palma and Salinas to finish tied for third in championship. the Pacific Coast Athletic League Gabilan “We had to adjust — we were rusty,” division. Julien said. “At the end of the day, we got “I’m really proud of these kids,” together and handled our business.” Blankenship said. “They just kept doing Aptos rushed for 147 yards in the first everything I asked them to do. I kept half. A big chunk came on senior Silvano asking them to fight when those guys Lopez’s 70-yard sprint, which set up were rolling down hill like a big snowball. Reyes’ second score. Couldn’t have asked anything more from The Mariners had just 71 yards rushing them.”
JANUARY 2019
10 - LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
COMMUNITY CALENDAR Jan. 8, 10
Jan. 11
Jan. 15
Dog training classes
CASA information session
‘Dine for the Red Cross’
Dog training classes with the Monterey Bay Dog Training Club are starting Jan. 8 and 10. Class sessions are eight weeks long and are held at two locations. Starting Jan. 8, the classes will run Tuesday nights at the Crosetti Building at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Ave. in Watsonville. Starting Jan. 10, the classes will run Thursday nights at the Mid-County Senior Center, 829 Bay Ave. in Capitola. The classes are $100 per eight-week session. For times and class descriptions, visit www.montereybaydog. org or email montereybaydog@gmail. com.
Jan. 10 Breakfast meeting
The Aptos Chamber of Commerce’s monthly breakfast meeting will take place at Best Western Seacliff Inn, 7500 Old Dominion Court, from 7:30-9 a.m. Santa Cruz County Supervisor Zach Friend will be the guest speaker. Admission is $20 for chamber members, or $25 for nonmembers. To RSVP, call 688-1467.
Individuals interested in learning more about becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate can attend an information meeting at California Coffee, 9105 Soquel Drive in Aptos, at noon. For information, contact CASA’s Outreach and Recruitment Manager Cita Rasul at cita@casaofsantacruz.org or 761-2956.
Jan. 11-13 Fungus Fair
The 45th Annual Santa Cruz Fungus Fair will be held at the Louden Nelson Center, 301 Center St. in Santa Cruz. The three-day event features hundreds of species of local fungi, as well as speakers, cooking demonstrations, a Kids’ Room, and a taxonomy panel for identification of fungi. For information, visit ffsc.us.
Jan. 13 Scion Exchange
The Monterey Bay Chapter of the California Rare Fruit Growers will hold its annual winter Scion Exchange at Cabrillo College Horticulture Center from noon to 3 p.m. At this event, in coordination with fruit growing enthusiasts around the state, local organizers will freely distribute cloneable cuttings (scions) from hundreds of common, rare, heirloom and experimental varieties of fruit. Admission is free for members, or $5 for non-members. For information, visit mbcrfg.org.
Trusted
January 2019 APTOS
SOQUEL
CAPITOLA
The Shadowbrook Restaurant in Capitola is hosting its annual “Dine for the Red Cross� fundraiser. To support the organization’s local programs and services, make a reservation to dine at the Shadowbrook that night between 5-10 p.m. If you mention that you want your bill to support the Red Cross, the Shadowbrook will donate one-third of it to the Central Coast Chapter. To make a reservation, call 475-1222 or visit shadowbrook-capitola. com.
Jan. 26 Santa Cruz Symphony
The Santa Cruz Symphony with Music Director Daniel Stewart will perform Mozart’s Symphony No. 40, Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Theme Variations with Jeremy Tai and the World Premiere by local composer John Wineglass. It will take place at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St., at 7:30 p.m. For information and tickets, visit santacruzsymphony.org.
APTOS
BEST of
PAJARO VALLEY
• new/used books
SOQUEL
• children’s books
CAPITOLA
• 1 minute off hwy 1
Ask Nicole: Positive Parenting Awareness Month – A time to renew, refresh and recharge By NICOLE M. YOUNG, MSW Another year has flown by, leaving me wondering where the time went. As I think about my family’s milestones and memories over the past year, I’m reminded of how often I get consumed by work, my family’s hectic schedule, and the neverending list of household chores. It’s easy for my family to go through the motions of our daily routines — get up, go to school or work, come home, eat, do homework or work, go to bed, repeat, repeat, repeat — and even be in the same room without really noticing and appreciating each other. It takes deliberate and constant effort to be a positive parent (and partner), and the new year is a good time for a fresh start. This January, Santa Cruz County is
celebrating Positive Parenting Awareness Month for the seventh year in a row, and several other counties in California are joining in — Inyo, Napa, Mendocino, Sonoma and possibly more! Positive Parenting Awareness Month is a time to recognize the vital role that “parents� — including birth, foster and adoptive parents, grandparents and other relatives or family friends — play in raising happy, healthy, thriving children. It’s a chance to encourage all types of families to seek and accept support from friends, family members, neighbors and local resources, such as the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program. And it’s a time to let go of past parenting mistakes or regrets and start the new year with new tools in the “parenting toolbox.� We encourage everyone to use and share these tips to renew, refresh and recharge their commitment to positive parenting not just in January, but every day of the year.
Girl Scout Troop 10213 donates jackets
Girl Scout Troop 10213 of Aptos recently donated more than 50 jackets to Dominican Hospital as part of their holiday charity project. The 10- and 11-year-olds collected the coats through donation drives at Mar Vista and Soquel elementary schools. The jackets will be added to the hospital’s “patient closet,� and will be provided to any patient who needs a coat when they leave the hospital. Contributed photo
What is positive parenting? It’s an approach to raising children that strengthens family relationships, increases parents’ confidence and promotes children’s healthy development. Research shows that the quality of parenting and caregiving throughout a child’s life is one of the most powerful predictors of their future social, emotional and physical health and well-being. There isn’t one “right� way to be a parent, but there are many parenting programs and strategies that have helped families across the world. One program in Santa Cruz County is Triple P, which is based on these five principles of positive parenting: Principle 1: Provide a safe, interesting environment. This gives children and teens the opportunity to play, explore, discover and experiment. This is how they learn and develop important life skills, such as communicating with others, solving problems, and being independent. The amount of supervision and limitsetting will change as children get older, but even teens (and young adults) need to know they have people in their lives who will keep them physically and emotionally safe. Principle 2: Create a positive learning environment. Help children and teens feel safe and confident to explore and learn new skills by noticing their efforts, giving positive attention and descriptive praise, and modeling healthy, appropriate behaviors. These tips might seem too simple or obvious to mention, but many times it’s the smallest efforts that make the biggest difference. Principle 3: Use assertive discipline. Remember that discipline is not the same as punishment. Assertive discipline is a calm, consistent approach to teaching children and teens new ways of thinking and behaving. When used as a teaching tool, assertive discipline helps children and teens accept responsibility for their choices, become aware of other people’s needs, and develop self-control. Someday,
Watsonville’s Independent Bookstore
• unique gifts • special orders – no charge!
Open Monday - Saturday 10am - 6pm Sunday 11am - 4pm • your children’s employers and partners will thank you for teaching them these skills. Principle 4: Have realistic expectations. Every child and teen is unique in the way they learn and develop. Conflict and frustration can occur when parents expect too much too soon of their children. Likewise, children and teens miss opportunities to learn and grow when parents don’t expect enough of their children. It’s also important for parents to have realistic expectations of themselves. Remember there’s no such thing as a perfect parent or child. Principle 5: Take care of yourself as a parent. Many parents and caregivers feel unprepared or uncertain, and asking for help is often seen as a weakness. Fear of being blamed or shamed prevents many people from seeking support. And yet, the non-stop job of parenting is easier when our own physical, social, emotional and intellectual needs are met. This recharges our “parenting batteriesâ€? so that we have energy to be patient, consistent, and available for our children. Final thoughts: Let’s make positive parenting a daily habit and start the new year with a renewed focus on our family relationships and parenting practices. I’m in — are you? ••• Nicole Young is the mother of two children, ages 15 and 18, 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 triplep.first5scc. org, www.facebook.com/triplepscc or contact First 5 Santa Cruz County at 465-2217 or triplep@first5scc.org.
JANUARY 2019
LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel - 11
12 - LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
JANUARY 2019