LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola & Soquel

SEPTEMBER 2018 EVERYTHING APTOS, CAPITOLA & SOQUEL Vol. 7 No. 1 Santa Cruz Follies

APTOS

Sept. 12-15 at 1 p.m., Civic Auditorium Extra show: Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m.

SOQUEL

Sports pg. 13

CAPITOLA Photo by Tarmo HANNULA

HISTORY CORNER

The second-hand shop, St. John’s Helpful Shop in Capitola, closed Aug. 25 after operating in the same spot for 65 years. For the full story, turn to page 4.

By John Hibble Call: 688-1467

Beach Festival gears up for inaugural event

Visit us online: aptoshistory.org

By ERIK CHALHOUB

Visit the museum: 7605-B Old Dominion Court Aptos, CA

The stuff movies are made of

The horseshoe competition, a long-standing tradition at the Capitola Begonia Festival, will return for the Capitola Beach Festival. File photo by Tarmo Hannula

CAPITOLA — When the Capitola Begonia Festival wrapped up its 65-year run in 2017, many in the community refused to let it go.

Among those was now-Capitola Mayor Michael Termini, who asked the festival’s committee if another event could take its place.

Festival past president Laurie Hill said that was the spark that ignited the Capitola Beach Festival, a new event

Nearly 100 locations, 4,000 employees affected

By TODD GUILD CAPITOLA — A little more than two years after closing several Orchard Supply Hardware stores, including the Watsonville location, owner Lowe’s Companies, Inc., announced it will close the remaining 99 stores.

According to Lowe’s Public

Please turn to Page 6

• new/used books

• unique gifts

• children’s books

• special orders – no charge!

Open Monday - Saturday 10am - 6pm Sunday 11am - 4pm

Relations Director Jackie Hartzell, the OSH stores are not profitable, and so the company is redirecting its financial resources into its Lowe’s home improvement chain.

The announcement includes all stores located in California, Oregon and Florida.

Please turn to Page 7

Inside ...

Thank You For Voting Us Best In The Pajaro Valley!

Watsonville’s Independent Bookstore

Please turn to Page 7

Orchard Supply Hardware closing all stores

This is the story of a bright and talented man’s successful career in Aptos, all the while hiding a secret past. A mystery that could have been written by the likes of Agatha Christie or Alfred Hitchcock.

We first hear of Dennis Whiles reviewing his favorite restaurant in the Santa Cruz Sentinel in February 1970. He wrote, ”you’ll find a casual, non-uptight crowd to rap with on the bountifully stocked ‘Quarter Deck,’ gracious skippers Barb and Joe to chart your course to the ‘Captains Table’ for the best Kansas City steaks anywhere on the horizon. Your memorable cruise will put into port with a complimentary liqueur and music at the piano bar. Bon appetite at the good ship Windjammer,” (in Rancho Del Mar, Aptos). Quite a way with words!

We next hear of Dennis in June, when at age 45, he becomes the tennis pro at Beaver’s Swim and Tennis Club on La Madrona Drive in Scotts Valley. He was formerly the ski

• 1 minute off hwy 1

that will take over Capitola Village on Sept. 29-30.

“The majority of the volunteers stepped up to be a part of it,” said Hill, who is helping with promotion for the inaugural festival. “They were part of the Begonia Festival, they are experienced, they are enthusiastic, and said, ‘sure, let’s get this party going.’”

Hill said the new festival is focusing on the family-friendly activities

BEST of

PAJARO VALLEY

Chamber update ................2 Briefs .................................4-5 Guest columns ...................9 Calendar .............................14 PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID WATSONVILLE, CA PERMIT NO. 23 ******ECRWSSEDDM****** POSTAL CUSTOMER APTOS, CA 95003 CAPITOLA. CA 95010

SEPTEMBER 2018

2 - LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

Consultant recommends consolidating Mid-County fire services Proposal includes closing Capitola, Soquel fire stations

Staff report CAPITOLA — Mid-county residents could see significant changes to their fire services, if a recommendation to streamline

and consolidate two departments is approved.

Residents learned about the proposal during a meeting on Aug. 27.

The changes would affect people who live in Live Oak, Soquel, Capitola, Aptos and La Selva Beach, and could include closing the fire stations in Capitola and Soquel, and building a new station to serve those areas.

In the 157-page “Mid-County Fire Study” by Emergency Services Consulting International (ECI), the company also suggests

that Aptos/La Selva Fire Protection and Central Fire Protection districts consolidate their services into a single district, with a single Board of Directors and chief.

This would help both departments streamline their services, and help reign in costs by reducing duplication of staff, resources and overhead costs, according to the report.

In addition, the report calls for creating a “quick attack” unit that would improve response time.

At the presentation, consultants will present their recommendations and answer questions from the public.

Photo by Erik Chalhoub

APTOS

Congressman gives update to Aptos community

SOQUEL

CAPITOLA

Congressman Jimmy Panetta speaks with Pajaro Valley Unified School District board president Leslie DeRose on Aug. 14 during a luncheon presented by the Aptos Chamber of Commerce at the Best Western Seacliff Inn. Panetta, who was the guest speaker, described what he has been working on in Congress over the past year. He said many people across the country are “overwhelmed” and “confused” at the actions of the White House and Congress, stressing the importance of Republicans and Democrats working together to solve issues. “It feels like we have been governing on flurry,” Panetta said. “It’s time we govern on focus. You have to work with the other side to get things done.” About 90 people were in attendance.

Publisher - Jeanie Johnson Editor - Erik Chalhoub Editorial Todd Guild, Johanna Miller, Tony Nuñez, Tarmo Hannula Photography - Tarmo Hannula Advertising Sales Tina Chavez, Jazmine Ancira, Bianca Madrigal, Michael Thompson 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.

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831-761-7300

newsroom@register-pajaronian.com

Thank you for reading!

Central Fire Protection District was formed when Capitola, Live Oak, and Soquel Fire Districts consolidated.

The district serves 28 square miles and encompasses the communities of Live Oak, Soquel and Capitola.

The Aptos/La Selva Fire Protection District consolidated with the La Selva Beach Fire Protection District in 1986. It annexed the Day Valley area in 1988, the Spring Valley area in 2006, and the Eastern Boundary area in 2007. It encompasses 27 square miles.

••• For information, visit bit.ly/2MDFnKd.

CHAMBER

OF

COMMERCE

By KAREN HIBBLE

APTOS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

And the winners are...

Congratulations to the amazing winners of our “People of the Year” awards for 2018. We had more than 300 community members vote on the amazing nominees. This year’s winners are: • Man of the Year: Dan Haifley, for his long history of advocating for the protection of the ocean through Save Our Shores, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, and O’Neill Sea Odyssey.

• Woman of the Year: Michele Bassi, for her work with Digital NEST to assist youth in learning technology to obtain well-paying jobs, and CapitolaAptos Rotary to raise funds for LEO’s Haven, Meals on Wheels, and for local nonprofits.

• Business of the Year: Seascape Village Fitness, for participating in numerous events to benefit the

community, and raising thousands of dollars per year to support community organizations.

• Organization of the Year: Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, who for more than 75 years has empowered individuals who are blind or visually impaired to embrace life to the fullest through evaluation, counseling, education and training.

• Outstanding Achievement: Mark Dorfman, who as athletic director at Aptos High School for 27 years has been an exemplary teacher, leader, mentor, coach, friend and colleague for so many.

• Community Hero: Aptos Feed and Pet Supply, for their genuine care for their human and animal customers, and for their support of animal rescues, shelters and community events.

We will have photos and much more

information in the October issue of Aptos Life, but for now please join us in celebrating these outstanding people, organizations, and businesses. The 2018 “People of the Year” will receive their awards at the Aptos Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner and Auction, Oct. 26 from 5:30-10 p.m. at the beautiful Seascape Beach Resort. We hope you will celebrate their dedication to our community with us.

Remember that school is now back in session. Please drive carefully and watch out for our children. Remember not to text and drive. Thank you and see you around Aptos.

••• Karen Hibble is the co-executive director of the Aptos Chamber of Commerce.

SEPTEMBER 2018

LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel - 3

Suit in motion over Nissan dealership in Soquel

By TARMO HANNULA SOQUEL — A lawsuit has been set in motion regarding the construction of a new Santa Cruz Nissan dealership proposed to be built near the intersection of Soquel Drive at 41st Avenue.

Initially slated to open in spring 2019, the 2.6-acre parcel would be a relocation for the existing Nissan dealership which is nearby. Plans were approved by the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors in May. Though the ball is rolling in motion, the group Sustainable Soquel is saying “not so fast.”

“This is a complex issue and not just about traffic,” said group member Lisa Sheridan.

“It’s more about the sustainable plan. We are looking at how to plan our neighborhood and what is sustainable. There is a concept of alternatives. There is a list of issues here, including sound, lights and traffic.”

Sheridan said there is a 75-page response to the environmental impact report.

“We need to have advanced planning or we all just fall apart,” she said. “It’s shocking to say, ‘hey, great plan,’ and then turn around and ‘poopoo’ the plan. This land could be used for mixed community commercial, for example, with a grocery store, and single unit apartments, for starters. They had one project and went with it. That is not reasonable.”

Sheridan said currently there are scores of people living in close proximity to the site including four mobile home parks that she described as “close by.” One of the chief goals of Sustainable Soquel, Sheridan said, was to push for what she described as a “walk-able neighborhood,” that would make way for a more pedestrian and residentialfriendly setting.

“After the project was originally proposed and scheduled for the Planning Commission, I got all of our departments together and it was decided that we should do an EIR for the project,” said John Leopold, Santa Cruz County Supervisor.

Leopold called the study “the highest level of environmental review.”

“The EIR looked at the project as well as all the alternatives suggested by the public,” Leopold said. “The whole EIR process took a year and addressed many comments from a handful of people. “The EIR identified that the biggest impact was on traffic, with the dealership being the least impactful among the alternatives. “In order to deal with the traffic problems that already exist on Soquel Drive, I got the Board to agree to find the funds to install a four way stop light at Robertson/Wharf Road. Every traffic analysis says that this would improve traffic flow and protect pedestrians.”

Leopold said the new traffic light has to be installed within “three years of pulling the building permits.”

A Notice of Proposed Development notice posted at the site reads: “Proposal to combine 8 parcels and construct an approximately 12,550 square foot car dealership and an approximately 10,000 square foot service area.” The project got the green light from the Santa Cruz County Business Council and the County Planning Commission.

An artist’s draft shows what the proposed Santa Cruz Nissan dealership will look like.

Contributed rendering

Heavy equipment is stationed on an empty lot on 41st Avenue in Soquel, the site of a proposed Santa Cruz Nissan dealership.

Photo by Tarmo Hannula

Aptos Coffee Roasting Company closes

By TARMO HANNULA APTOS — After being served with a 30-day notice in July, Aptos Coffee Roasting Company celebrated its long run in the Rancho Del Mar Center Aug. 19 — its final day — with free coffee beverages and free pound-bags of coffee for all.

Hundreds of people came to pay respects and show their devotion to a spot that has served as a community watering hole for more than 30 years.

Owner Bronson Baker, who also owns Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting Company in downtown Santa Cruz, said he was delighted with the great outpouring of support he saw on Aug. 19 and said he was searching for a new location.

“I have so many memories here,” he said.

“The amount of people here today just shows what a valuable place a café is in our community.

It makes my day to see all these people.”

According to Baker, Terramar Retail Center LLC, which owns the property, declined to renew the business’ lease.

The news came via a letter dated July 22 by Raffee Law Group, which represents Terramar Retail Center.

In the letter, attorney Jill Raffee said that the business’ long-term lease expired in March 2015 and that the business has since been running on a month-to-month agreement.

Baker’s daughter Sarah de Sousa, who ran Aptos Coffee Roasting Company for six years, and became the public face of the business after her mother died in 2006, said the announcement left owners and employees reeling.

A construction barrier fence was plastered with hand-written notes from loyal customers at the Aptos Coffee Roasting Company as the business lived out its last hours. Photo by Tarmo Hannula

Customers take advantage of free coffee beverages and free pounds of coffee Aug. 19 at Aptos Coffee Roasting Company in the Rancho Del Mar Center during the final hours for the long-standing business. Photo

by Tarmo Hannula

The business, she said, has become a mainstay for coffee lovers across the county.

On Sunday a huge bulletin board, set up in the front of the business, was coated with heartshaped notes people wrote for the business.

Here are a few samples: • “Thank you for all the fun times and great service and fab coffee. I hope to see you in

Aptos soon.”

• “Meeting all my amazing coworkers who have given me so many memories and moments.

Thank you to everyone for an amazing year of experiences. Karen.”

• “Aptos Coffee, aka, my home away from home, live on always in my heart. XOXO Mia.”

Acne & Skin

Care Clinic

SEPTEMBER 2018

4 - LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

GOODWILL

HELPFUL SHOP

JENNINGS & KELLER

Capitola Goodwill expansion celebrated

St. John’s Helpful Shop seeks new location after 65 years

Touring duo to perform at Jansen Music

By JOHANNA MILLER Photo by Tarmo Hannula

Staff report CAPITOLA — After completion of a major renovation project, the Capitola Goodwill store celebrated its grand reopening on Aug. 22.

Located at 1550 41st Ave., the store expanded into an adjacent space, growing from 11,500 square feet to 17,500 square feet, bettering its donation processing area and retail sales floor. The expansion also allows Goodwill to add six more full-time employees to its current staff of 24, said Ed Durkee, president and CEO. “This investment renews our very strong commitment to Santa Cruz County,” Durkee said.

“Once completed, we will have remodeled, moved or renovated all four retail stores in Santa Cruz County in less than 24 months.” Goodwill’s Santa Cruz store, 204 Union St., is also getting a new look and is scheduled for completion near the end of September.

“Our commitment and continued presence in these communities is unwavering and we look forward to many more decades of community support and providing jobs to people with barriers to employment,” Durkee said.

Jim Burke, vice president of retail and operations, said that donations to Goodwill and shoppers to the store have seen an uptick in recent years, which the expansion will be able to accommodate. Burke and Durkee were joined by other Goodwill dignitaries and staff on Aug. 22 to welcome shoppers to the balloondecorated Capitola store.

CAPITOLA — St. John’s Helpful Shop in Capitola Village is preparing to move out and find a new home after 65 years.

A literal cornerstone of the village, St. John’s Helpful Shop first opened at its location on the corner of Monterey and Capitola avenues in 1953. Women from the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist, then located in the Depot Hill area of Capitola, opened the store to raise money for a new church carpet.

Gradually, the church grew, and the shop became a way for St. John’s to expand its community outreach.

Church and community members alike volunteer their time at the shop, with all proceeds given as grants to local nonprofits.

The building that houses the Helpful Shop recently changed hands, said shop volunteer Daniel Oliver.

This has prompted them to move out and possibly find a new location.

“We’re currently making a decision of where and when we can reopen,” Oliver said. “We’d like to get the word out and ask help from the community.”

In 2018, St. John’s Helpful Shop helped support 26 different organizations across the region — including Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes, Homeless Services Center, Native Animal Rescue, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Santa Cruz County and more.

“That’s really the whole point,” Oliver said. “The outreach. We’d really like to keep that going.”

Aug. 25 was the Helpful Shop’s final day open at its Capitola Village location. The Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist is now located at 125 Canterbury Drive in Aptos, and Helpful Shop volunteers say they hope to find a location not too far from the church itself — but are open to other ideas.

To contact St. John’s Helpful Shop, visit st-john-aptos.org.

Jennings & Keller. Contributed photo

Staff report APTOS — Jennings & Keller, an award-winning nationally touring duo based out of Florida, will perform at Jansen Music, 7960J Soquel Drive in Aptos, on Sept. 22 at 7:30 p.m.

The duo offers up 21st Century Americana with influences in folk, jazz and roots music.

Dana Keller, a veteran pedal steel, dobro, and guitar player, has spent years performing on stage or in the studio with such luminaries as Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Stevie Wonder, Larry Graham, Marvin Gaye, Dave Mason, Johnny Rodriguez and The Allen Brothers, to name a few.

Laurie Jennings Oudin is a former Shakespearean actress who has spent many years on the stage.

In the 10 years of playing together, Jennings & Keller have released four CDs. Joining them will be Patrick Feehan (keyboards), Rolfe Wyer (bass and vocals) and Marty Atkinson (lead guitar).

Opening the show will be Marky Starks. Starks is a long-time member of the live music scene in the area.

Tickets are $15. For reservations, email canyonguitars@hotmail.com or call 724-4978.

SEPTEMBER 2018

LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel - 5

SC MONTESSORI SCHOOL

SEARS

VOLUNTEER CENTER

Santa Cruz Montessori goes solar

Sears to close Capitola location

Volunteer award nominations to kick off

Staff report APTOS — Thanks to $265,000 raised by the community, Santa Cruz Montessori has gone solar, marking the culmination of a project 10 years in the making.

In 2008, the Santa Cruz Montessori (SCM) board approved a strategic action plan for the greening of the school. Junior high students in the Wavecrest class were tasked with organizing a Green Science Fair to determine the most effective way the school could go green.

The winner: solar panels.

However, the economic downturn of 2008 caused the greening plan to be put on hold.

Ten years later, a capital campaign raised $265,000 through the contributions of parents, grandparents, friends, charitable organizations and community members. As a result, SCM is now 98 percent energy independent thanks to the 160 solar panels that have been placed on roofs of the school that are well oriented for sun exposure, and the school also has a new roof on the Primary building.

Installed by NorCal Solar in the fall of 2017 and the spring of 2018, the solar panels produce more than 104,000 kilowatt hours annually, enough to save SCM $17,000 in 2018 alone. At that rate, the solar panels will pay for themselves in about 15 years.

“We are thrilled to have environmentally friendly solar panels,” said Head of School Kim Saxton. “We are not only saving money, but are also making a positive environmental impact.”

Next addition to the solar panels project will be an informational kiosk that will have information for students about how solar energy works. The students will also have access to a digital display of the school’s savings — projected at $85,000 over the next five years — and will be able to track the school’s reduction of CO2 emissions, targeted at 81 tons each year.

City considering plan to split up property

By TODD GUILD CAPITOLA — Sears Holdings announced recently that it will close dozens of stores throughout the U.S., including the location in the Capitola Mall.

Liquidation sales at Sears stores were expected to begin as early as Aug. 30, the company said in a press release.

“As part of our ongoing efforts to streamline Sears Holdings’ operations, strengthen our capital position and focus on our best stores, this week the company informed associates at 46 unprofitable stores that we will be closing these stores in November 2018,” the company stated.

The Capitola location is among five in California to be shuttered.

The announcement could come as another financial loss for Capitola, where during the same week Orchard Supply Hardware announced it will close by the end of the year.

But the news might not be all bad. Capitola Planning Commission is mulling a proposal to allow property owner Seritage to split the property between Sears, a TJ Maxx store and a Petco pet store.

The planning commission rejected the proposal at its June 7 meeting, said Capitola Community Development Director Katie Herlihy.

The property owner has appealed the decision, and the commission is set to reconsider the issue on Oct. 25, Herlihy said.

Sears Holdings said that employees affected by the store closures will receive severance, and can apply for open positions at area Kmart or Sears stores.

••• For information, visit bit.ly/2wluVgw.

Staff report SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — The Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County kicked off the Call for Nominations for the 12th Annual Be the Difference Awards.

The “Be the Difference” Awards are about honoring the individuals, groups, nonprofits and businesses who make a difference in Santa Cruz County through volunteerism.

Individuals who have worked alongside a dedicated volunteer, admire the way a particular nonprofit engages volunteers, or have observed a business going the extra mile for civic engagement are encouraged to fill out a nomination form.

Nominations will be accepted through Sept. 7.

“Each of us can think of a volunteer that has touched our lives in some way, big or small,” said Volunteer Center Executive Director Karen Delaney.

“The Be the Difference Awards provide the annual opportunity for the larger community to say thankyou and to share the powerful stories of our local change-makers.”

More than 450 individuals, groups and businesses have been recognized since the inception of the event.

“It is wonderful to see this number grow each year, to hear fresh new stories of individuals of all ages and from all walks of life who are dedicating themselves to the causes they care about,” Delaney said. “In a time of great divisions, the stories of volunteers help to provide a very different narrative about the potential for connection and the power of what we can accomplish when we act together as a constructive force for good.”

The top 50 nominees will receive a complimentary ticket and recognition at the Be the Difference Awards Lunch Gala which annually brings together nearly 300 attendees in celebration of service. This year’s event will take place on Oct. 24 at the Cocoanut Grove in Santa Cruz from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m..

To download a nomination form, visit www. scvolunteercenter.org. For information, call 4275070.

SEPTEMBER 2018

6 - LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

History Corner

Continued from page 1

instructor at Los Altos Marine and Ski Shop and many California resorts. He is a New York City native, a graduate of Washington High School, and Pepperdine College. He has competed in tennis tournaments in the Bay Area for the past 15 years and was a member of the ski and tennis teams in both high school and college. He is also the developer of the Outdoor Ski Hill and the Indoor Ski Mini-Hill.

Soon, Dennis is putting on tennis classes and playing in matches against other clubs.

Often playing doubles matches with his wife Jean. They handily defeat most opponents.

He is a regular on the social committee and helps plan upscale sports events like a Mai-Tai Mixed Doubles Tournament with smorgasboard at the pool and dancing.

Dennis provides tennis lessons to Miss California, Karin Kascher and Olympic Gold Medal swimmer, Linda Gustavson. Next, Dennis is teaching ski instruction through Santa Cruz City Parks and Recreation. The final ski lesson is held on the sand dunes at Palm Beach in Watsonville.

In December 1970, Dennis and Jean opened a shop called the Tennis Scene at the Aptos Beach Golf Course and Dennis was hired as the new Tennis Director for the club.

In 1971, the golf course name was changed to Aptos Seascape Golf Club. In August, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new Seascape Racquet Club and Dennis

Dennis Whiles is shown in this 1971 photo. Aptos History Museum archives

planned a senior’s tournament to christen the new facility the following month. Nonstop tennis continued as the new facility was being built.

In 1972, Dennis helped arrange the Herb Caen Celebrity Tennis Tournament to benefit the Dominican Hospital Foundation.

Herb Caen was a famous San Francisco Chronicle columnist who lent his name to the tournament. Dennis was the Tournament Director. The tournament was held in May at four tennis clubs in the county. Celebrity tennis players included: five 49er football players, columnist Art Hoppe, Judge Stanley Mosk, former Undersecretary of the Navy Paul B. Fay, and numerous TV and movies actors including Clint Eastwood and talk show host Merv Griffin. Herb Caen and Dennis teamed up to win the doubles tournament.

Dennis also organized the first Aptos Seascape Tennis Open tournament with $10,000 in prize money, making it the fourth richest in prize money in the state. It was the largest in the Monterey Bay area. The racquet club possessed the only sunken center court in Northern California. Eleven nationally ranked players were showcased. Next came Aptos Seascape’s first international tournament, the Grand Prix, where Dennis had his photograph taken with up-andcoming tennis star Bjorn Borg. The following year, the club hosted the Aptos Seascape National Hardcourt Tennis Championship with a $37,500 purse. Construction of the club was completed in 1973.

After successfully launching the Aptos Seascape Racquet Club, Dennis and Jean moved to Hawaii in 1974. Dewey Raburn, who worked and played tennis with Dennis, described him as, “absolutely brilliant. He was courteous, a dreamer. And he could make it come true. Dennis got along with everybody.”

KC Jackson remembers that Dennis had an unorthodox teaching style for tennis, especially for a certified instructor. He also had a pronounced German accent, which was a little odd for a native of New York City.

Dennis Whiles, shown here in 1971, was a ski instructor and many California resorts.

Aptos History Museum archives

As it turns out, Dennis Whiles was entirely fictitious. Dennis was actually Georg Gaertner, an escaped German prisoner of war who was on the FBI’s most wanted list.

Georg Gaertner entered the German Officer Corps in World War II and served in Field Marshal Erwin Rommel’s Africa Korps. Within six months of posting, he was captured by Allied troops, and sent to Fort Deming, New Mexico where he served as camp translator. At the end of the war he learned that he would be sent back to Soviet occupied Poland, so he escaped by cutting through the fence and jumping a freight train to California.

He moved around taking odd jobs like dishwasher and lumberjack and perfected his English. He eventually got a Social Security card under the name of Dennis Whiles. In 1952, as a ski instructor, he helped to rescue passengers in a train trapped in an avalanche at Donner Pass. His picture was circulated in a national magazine. He married his wife Jean in 1964.

Gaertner never told his wife about his past, so in 1983, she was so frustrated that she threatened to leave him. He broke down and confessed. Then he contacted Arnold Krammer who had written a book on German prisoners of war and they collaborated to produce the book, “Hitler’s

Last Soldier in America,” the story of Gaertner’s life. It was published in 1985, the same day that Gaertner turned himself in to the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

Because he was a good citizen for 40 years and because he was not technically guilty of any crimes, the government decided not to prosecute.

“I have lived my own version of the American dream,” Gaertner said.

Georg Gaertner became a naturalized citizen in 2009 and died in 2013.

Out of 425,000 German prisoners of war on U.S. soil, 2,222 escaped. All but 12 were recaptured before repatriation. Gaertner was the last one to turn himself in, the last fugitive German prisoner of war in America and … Seascape Racquet Club’s first tennis pro. Tennis anyone?

Thanks to Art Childers for alerting me to this story and for KC Jackson for sharing his memories.

Our next Coffee, Tea and History presentation will be “Bootlegging on the Bay.” John Bargetto of Bargetto Winery and I will present the local story of prohibition.

Saturday, Sept. 15, 2-3:30 p.m. at the Rio Sands Hotel community room. $20 general, $15 for museum members. Reservations required, 688-1467 or aptoschamber.com.

SEPTEMBER 2018

Beach Festival

LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel - 7 Continued from page 1

that proved popular for the Begonia Festival. Among those are the horseshoe tournament, fishing derby, sand sculpture contest, rowboat races and more.

New for the Beach Festival is the inaugural Little Wharf 3-Miler on Sept.

29. Put on by Wharf to Wharf Race, Inc. the event begins with a family fun run/ walk starting at the East Cliff Village Shopping Center, which makes its way along the coastline and finishes at the Capitola Esplanade.

In addition, the Lighted Nautical Parade will wend its way down Soquel Creek on Sept. 29. Twelve lighted barges will be guided down the creek between the trestle and the lagoon.

“Continuing a festival is a way to honor what the Begonia Festival was and all the generous people over all those decades that helped put it on,” Hill said.

Explaining to the community why the Begonia Festival ended is still a challenge,

Orchard Supply It also includes the Capitola store at 1601 41st Ave., which underwent a $2.4 million upgrade in 2016.

Lowe’s made the announcement Aug. 21 in a public release listing its sales and earnings results for the second quarter.

The stores will reportedly begin liquidation sales soon. The stores are set to close by the end of the 2018 fiscal year, which is Feb. 1, 2019.

About 4,300 employees will be affected, and will be given “priority status” should they apply for other positions with Lowe’s, Hartzell said.

Hill said.

Golden State Bulb Growers, which grew the begonia blossoms in Marina and donated them to the festival for decades, retired from the business.

In a statement, the company said there were many factors in the decision, one of them being that it is “no longer being profitable to grow flower bulbs in California.”

“Golden State Bulb Growers, formerly the Brown Bulb Ranch and the Brown Family, have been honored to donate the begonia blooms to the Capitola Begonia Festival for decades,” the statement read.

“It has been a symbiotic relationship benefitting both of us.”

••• Spots are still available for the Lighted Nautical Parade. To register, call 2391611.

For information, and to register for other events, visit capitolabeachfestival.com.

A sand castle contest will return for the Capitola Beach Festival. File photo by Tarmo Hannula

Continued from page 1

According to Hartzell, 86 percent of OSH stores are located within 10 miles of a Lowe’s hardware store.

“We are working hard to make this transition as smooth as possible for our associates and our customers,” she said. “We will be retaining our associates through the store closure process and are encouraging them to apply for open roles at Lowe’s stores, where they will receive priority status. Associates will receive job placement assistance, and we will be providing eligibility for severance.”

Orchard Supply Hardware operates regular business hours recently on 41st Avenue in Capitola. The business chain, founded in 1931 in San Jose, will soon close. Photo by Tarmo Hannula

Cabrillo Gallery starts semester with faculty and staff exhibition

By JOHANNA MILLER

APTOS — Fall semester at Cabrillo

College began Aug. 27, and with it came the opening of the Cabrillo Gallery’s latest exhibit.

“Catalysts: Art, Photograph & Art History Faculty Staff Exhibition” features up to 40 artists spanning numerous artistic mediums.

All artists are either Cabrillo College faculty or staff from the Art Studio, Photography and Art History departments.

According to the gallery’s Program Coordinator Victoria May, this type of exhibit usually occurs every two years.

“We want the public to see how dynamic and varied our art offerings are here,” May said, “and maybe get them interested in taking classes.”

The exhibit is also meant to give art faculty and staff an opportunity to express themselves and indulge in their own passions and ideas outside the classroom, May said.

“I think for the students, it’s like when you’re a kid and you see your teacher in the supermarket,” she joked. “It’s strange but interesting to see them in a different light.”

A wide range of art will be on display at “Catalysts,” including everything from traditional painting and art photography to screen printing and pottery. Some of the artists combined old and new technologies, using unique materials such as old USB cords.

One particular piece, May described, is actually printed onto a piece of plastic and backlit dramatically.

“We have a wonderful selection this time around,” she said. “It really shows how far we’ve come from just the basics as technology and ideas progress.”

The name for the exhibition, “Catalysts,” came to the organizers when they were thinking of how instructors can help develop their students’ creativity.

“Instructors act as catalysts,” May said.

“They can provide that spark of knowledge or inspiration that may set off a series of chain reactions in the thinking and endeavors of the student.”

“Catalysts” will run through Sept. 6 at the Cabrillo Gallery, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos, in building 1000. The gallery is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Monday and Tuesday evenings between 7-9 p.m.

An opening reception is planned for Thursday, Sept. 6 from 5:30-7 p.m., with a special artists’ talk immediately following the reception.

For information, contact the Cabrillo Gallery at 479-6308 or email gallery@cabrillo.edu.

Tools to Make Parenting Easier

First 5 Santa Cruz County triplep.first5scc.org 831.465.2217

SEPTEMBER 2018

8 - LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

Second District Update - Understanding the November ballot

By ZACH FRIEND

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY SUPERVISOR

The November ballot will have a number of measures at the state and local level. Statewide, Proposition 6 is receiving the most attention.

It’s a proposed repeal of SB 1 — adopted by the legislature to address the backlog of deferred road maintenance by increasing the gas tax and vehicle registration fees. The most notable in the county are a bond measure for affordable housing and a sales tax for the unincorporated area. I wanted to provide an overview of the three of these items and welcome any additional questions you have.

Countywide Affordable Housing Bond A diverse coalition of local business leaders, nonprofits, housing developers, agriculture business leaders, schools and community organizations (and more) worked for about two years in preparation for a possible affordable housing measure. At issue is the remarkable affordability challenge in our county, which ranks it as one of the least affordable places in the world according to a recent international affordable housing study. With a median home price of more than $900,000 for a single-family residence, homeownership is out of reach for

the majority of Santa Cruz County residents.

According to the California Association of Realtors Traditional Housing Affordability Index, only about 15 percent of households can afford to purchase the median priced home. The rental housing market fares no better, with the rent for a two-bedroom apartment registering at around $3,200.

High housing costs inhibit the sustainability of our community and of our workforce.

Individuals and families are increasingly locked out of the local housing market and forced to take on increasingly long commutes to reach employment. High housing costs also exacerbate other challenges our community is confronting, including economic opportunity and vitality, traffic congestion, greenhouse gas generation and homelessness. In addition, when households spend more than half their incomes on housing costs, they have significantly less money to pay for other necessary expenses such as childcare, medical expenses and food, as well as less discretionary income to spend at local businesses.

Housing costs, and the lack of available housing, is the number one issue that I hear about in my office. Hospitals that are unable to recruit doctors, local businesses that say they can’t retain employees, teachers and public safety unable to afford a starter home or driving upwards of three hours to come to work are all common stories. Additionally, parents often note their children and grandchildren are unable to stay in this area and seniors have said they have limited housing options for aging in place or affordable options as income diminishes.

The proposed measure, which will require a 2/3 majority to pass, will issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $140 million for affordable housing and reduction of homelessness. Bonds will be repaid through a property tax assessment of an estimated maximum levy of $16.77 per $100,000 of assessed valuation.

Supporters have noted that the purpose of the measure is to bring options and opportunities for our families and vulnerable populations.

Specifically, the bond calls to provide a mixture of funding for affordable rental housing construction for local workers including farmworker and tourism industry employees

Financial Advice When does filing early for Social Security make sense?

By GARY E. CROXALL, CFP® and SOREN E. CROXALL, CFP® A question that inevitably comes up when we work with clients on their retirement planning is, when should I start my Social Security benefit? Even though it seems like a simple question, it’s actually quite complex as there are a number of factors that can influence your decision.

Understand your benefits A couple of months ago we recommended that if it has been a while since you last reviewed your Social Security statement, now would be a good time to do so. Not only will this allow you to double check your earnings record recorded by the Social Security Administration, it will also give you a rough estimate of what your retirement benefits might be at full retirement age (“FRA”), age 70, and age 62. It will also provide estimates of benefits in the event you became disabled, as well as family and survivor benefits. Most people are aware that if you take your Social Security retirement benefit anytime between ages 62 (the earliest you can file) and full retirement age, you will receive a permanent reduction in your monthly benefit amount. The amount of the reduction will depend on when you file for benefits. On the flip side, if you wait to file sometime between full retirement age and age 70, you will get an increase in your monthly benefits. Again, the exact amount of the increase will depend on when you file for benefits.

While your benefits statement is a good place to start for a rough estimate of what your benefits might be, you shouldn’t blindly follow that number. The benefits formula that the Social Security Administration uses to calculate retirement benefits is somewhat complicated. However, the important thing to keep in mind is that they use the top 35 years of earnings in the benefits formula.

Let’s look at the hypothetical example of “Bob.” Bob is an early retiree, having retired at the end of 2017 at age 58. Bob had worked consistently until retirement and steadily earned more income throughout his career. As part of his retirement planning, Bob reviewed his most recent Social Security statement in April 2018 and used the estimated full retirement age benefits in his retirement cash flow planning. What Bob failed to notice is that Social Security was assuming that he would continue to earn his most recent salary in 2018 and beyond when they calculated his estimated retirement benefits shown on the statement. In reality, in 2018 and beyond, unless Bob gets another job, his earning record would show “0” for those years. Long story short, it is likely that the estimate shown on his statement might overestimate actual benefits received at full retirement age. For this reason, it’s important to use your benefits statement as more of a “back of the envelope” estimate. The Social Security Administration’s website does provide some free calculators that allow more flexibility Continued on next page

and essential public servants like teachers, first responders, and health workers, via a mix of affordable rental and ownership opportunities.

Additionally, it aims to provide interim shelter and permanent supportive housing for families and individuals experiencing homelessness and accessible, well-located housing for seniors on fixed or limited incomes, veterans, families and people living with disabilities. It includes first time homebuyer loans and accessory dwelling unit construction assistance.

Unincorporated Area Sales Tax A half-cent sales tax increase will be before county voters on the Nov. 6 ballot. If approved, sales taxes in the unincorporated area would increase to 9 percent — a level that is at or below sales taxes in the cities of Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Scotts Valley and Capitola. The tax would sunset after 12 years. The Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution of priorities for unmet needs throughout the county, outlining some of the places the new funding would be spent including in the areas of homelessness and behavioral health, upgrades to public parks facilities and the construction of new facilities, deferred maintenance on infrastructure and more. Those needs include new North and South County homeless shelters and navigation centers; public safety and behavioral health outreach; and completion of several new parks, including LEO’s Haven, the county’s first all-inclusive playground for children of all abilities.

Needs were identified during recent public budget hearings, including a focused deterrence initiative for homeless individuals suffering from mental health and substance use disorders but who are resistant to services. The Sheriff has advocated for addressing these individuals (that take up a disproportionate amount of resources) with a specific designated team.

The county is also leading local efforts to establish year-round, 24-hour homeless shelter and navigation centers in North and South County.

County staff also identified the need to fulfill the county’s commitment to build LEO’s Haven, a new playground with numerous accessible structures and features for children with disabilities.

Many parks within the Mid and South County areas would also receive upgrades and additional park maintenance and recreation staff would be added to provide oversight for parks facilities and increase youth and senior programs.

If implemented, the sales tax would only apply in unincorporated areas of the county.

However, since all residents are expected to benefit from the programs and services, every voter in Santa Cruz County will be allowed to vote on the proposal.

Proposition 6 (Gas Tax Repeal) At issue is SB 1, adopted by the legislature that addressed the near $140 billion backlog in statewide deferred road maintenance by raising the gas tax and vehicle registration fees. The legislation generates more than $5 billion annually for repairs, maintenance and operations, nearly half of which is directed to cities and counties for street and road repairs. Most of the remaining funds are used for increasing highway maintenance and operational improvements, public transit and pedestrian safety programs. Locally, the funding has already been used for storm damage repairs and is expected to provide $115 million countywide over the first 10 years for road repairs, bridge and culvert repairs and other safety improvements.

California’s gas tax last increased in 1994 and was not indexed to inflation. As a result, the purchasing power of these funds has declined by half due to inflation and increased mileage (fuel-efficient vehicles travel farther on that same gallon of gas). Proposition 6 would repeal this new funding stream.

There have been some concerns that SB 1 funds would be diverted away from transportation needs. As a response, Proposition 69, passed by over 80 percent of voters in the June election, ensures that the funds from SB 1 are used for transportation purposes only.

Locally, the repeal would greatly impact the local match funding for storm damage repairs and eliminate funding already going to local cities and the county for road repairs.

As always, I appreciate hearing your thoughts. If you have questions on these items feel free to call my office at 454-2200.

SEPTEMBER 2018

LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel - 9

Aptos real estate update — September 2018 Guest Columnist

By RUTH BATES

Broker Associate & MBA Happy Fall Aptos – the summer crowds have gone back home – whew!

Summer market (past 90 days – May 21Aug. 21) In the past 90 days, 82 single-family homes sold; Average Sales Price: $1,102,590 and Median Sales Price: $1,022,500. The highest sale was 1100 Via Tornasol for $2,638,000, 3 bed, 2.5 bath, 2335 square foot fully remodeled home with ocean views. Six homes sold for over $2 million, four homes sold for $1.5-$2.0M, 35 homes sold for $1.0$1.5M, 17 homes sold $800K-$1.0M, and 20 homes sold for under $800K. The lowest sale was 8067 Aptos St.; a 2 bed, 1 bath, 1080 square foot “extensively damaged home that requires a cash buyer.” Some “Avg Price” sales include my Rio Del Mar listing at 444 Pebble Beach which sold for $1,150,000 – 3 bed, 2.5 bath, 2,835 square feet; a Seacliff listing at 420 Hillcrest which sold for $1,130,000 – 3 bed, 3 bath, 1,288 square feet; and a country property sale at 254 La Vida which sold for $1,130,000 – 4 bed, 2.5 bath, 3,112 square feet. Though these three sales were the same dollar-wise,

Financial

the Price Per Square Foot varies widely; Seacliff: $877/SF, RDM: $406, Country 95003: $363/SF. The MLS divides Aptos into three sections: 1. Seacliff (47), 2. Rio Del Mar (48) and 3.

Rest of 95003 (49). The statistics do vary by area. Seacliff had 10 sales - $975K Median Sales Price, Avg. Sq. Ft.: 1,444, Avg. Price Per Square Foot (PPSF): $753, Avg. Days on Market (DOM): 32. Rio Del Mar had 46 sales - $1,109K Median Sales Price, Avg. Sq. Ft. = 1,757, Avg. PPSF: $631, Avg. DOM: 23. Area 49 had 25 sales, - $959K Median Sales Price, 2,060 Avg. Sq. Ft., PPSF: $506, DOM: 28. Typically, properties closer to the beach command a higher price and the PPSF figures show that. Also, Seacliff homes in general are smaller than Rio Del Mar homes thus have higher PPSF. Eleven townhomes sold with a Median Sales Price of $800,000! (A new high).

High sale was 1075 Via Tornasol, 3 bed, 2.5 bath, 1,849 square feet, sold for $966,000.

Low was 2836 Casa De Vida, 2 bed, 2.5 bath, 1273 square feet, sold for $670,000.

Five condos sold with a Median Sales Price of $575,000. Lowest sale was 2601 Willowbrook #6, 2 bed, 1 bath, 1,048 square feet sold for $492,500.

Buyers — Don’t rule out HOAs I have a new listing at 2911 Leotar Circle in Santa Cruz, 3 bed, 2.5 bath, 1,448 square feet, offered at $749,000 — and it is a townhome. Many buyers rule out townhomes and condos too soon I feel. They say, “I hate HOAs, I don’t want to spend $350/month when I don’t have to.” Well, HOAs cover maintaining the exterior of your home — roof, siding, decks, all common grounds, your homeowner’s insurance, and in some cases like my listing, your water and garbage. New roofs cost $15-20K. Annual insurance costs $1,500-2,500. Quick math shows that a $350/month HOA is roughly equal to a $70,000 loan at 4.5 percent. The question is – can you buy a house for only $70,000 more than a townhome or condo?

Most often the answer is “no.” With Median Home prices at $1.0+M (townhomes at $800K, condos at $575K), that $350/month HOA helps you buy much more with your money. Don’t rule out HOAs.

Sellers — Top three home improvements that pay off (HGTV) #1 – Minor Bathroom Remodel – HGTV says cost is about $10,000 to replace the tub, tile surround, floor, toilet, sink, vanity and fixtures. Buyers will reward you for doing

this. #2 – Landscaping – HGTV says average homeowner spends $3,502 for landscaping and $1,465 on a designer, about $5,000.

Buyers will pay more for a nicely landscaped property. #3 — Minor Kitchen Remodel – HGTV says remodels average $15,000. That can be money well spent.

What I’m seeing in the marketplace is that buyers are looking for “turn-key” these days.

Buyers want everything done for them, they want “new,” and they do not desire to buy a “fixer.” So, when preparing to sell, do look at the cost/return of updating some portions of your home.

November ballot Be sure to get educated for the November ballot. City of Santa Cruz has a Rent Control Initiative. Statewide there is Prop. 5 — the initiative I wrote about in June, that will allow homebuyers who are 55-plus or severely disabled to transfer the tax-assessed value from their prior home to their new home anywhere in the state. Prop. 10 would repeal the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, thus allowing local governments to adopt rent control ordinances.

Continued from page 8

where you could account for a situation like Bob’s.

Another factor to consider when estimating potential Social Security retirement benefits you or your spouse may receive is whether either of you is eligible for a pension based on employment with a federal or state government. If either you or a spouse are receiving this type of pension, it may affect the amount of Social Security benefits that individuals may be eligible to receive. Work with a financial professional who can explain the rules surrounding this.

When might it make sense to file early We usually recommend that if it’s possible, wait until at least full retirement age. Filing early results in a permanent reduction in

benefits and can also affect the amount that your spouse may receive via spousal benefits and/or survivor benefits. That being said, there may be situations where claiming before full retirement age may make sense based on your personal situation. For example, if you are forced into an earlier than expected retirement and genuinely need the income to supplement your living expenses, then it might make more sense to file for benefits before full retirement age.

Another time when you might consider filing early is if you don’t expect to live well into your 80s or 90s. Some people know that based on their family history, the chance of them living that long is slim. Or some people may be personally afflicted by a disease that they know will affect their longevity. Keeping

this in mind, you (or a financial professional) can calculate “break even” or cross over ages where you can see which filing option you would have been better off choosing based on life expectancy.

Despite what you may see in various financial publications or internet articles, there is no universal formula that will apply to everyone and will determine the absolute best time they should apply for Social Security benefits. Sure, you can calculate how to maximize the total potential payout given certain assumptions, but no formula will take into consideration your specific and unique personal needs. So we think there is no “one size fits all” answer as to when to start taking income, as some would suggest. We think it is important to make an informed decision after knowing the details

Your

and being comfortable with the tradeoffs of your timing choice on when you choose to start your Social Security income.

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.

Natural Look

SEPTEMBER 2018

10 - LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

Sentimental Journey

“The Way We Were” “A Shout Out to Memorable Singers and Songs”

Directed by Kris Wheeler

September 12, 13, 14 & 15 at 1:00pm September 14 at 7:30pm Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium Tickets: $22 Call: (831) 423-6640 Email: santacruzfollies@att.net Facebook: Santa Cruz Follies Website: santacruzfollies.net

And A Little Bit of Elvis

SEPTEMBER 2018

LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel - 11

SC Follies returns for 63rd year

By ERIK CHALHOUB SANTA CRUZ — At 63 years, the Santa Cruz Follies is the longest-running organization that uses the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, said director Kris Wheeler.

The annual show consists of performers who are age 50 and over, with the oldest this year being 86.

But the cast of nearly 30 doesn’t let age slow them down, Wheeler said.

“It’s not a bunch of seniors rambling across the stage,” she said. “Some of them honestly look 30 years old. It’s not just an old people’s show. It’s very professional.”

This year’s performance, titled “Sentimental Journey: The Way We Were,” runs Sept. 12-15 at 1 p.m. at the Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St. in Santa Cruz.

An additional performance will take place Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Wheeler said the music of the performance ranges from vaudeville to rock ‘n’ roll, with a patriotic finale, which is a tradition of the Follies.

This is the third time Wheeler has directed a show for the Follies, yet she has been involved with the organization for 25 years, working on costumes and music.

The Santa Cruz Follies will perform “Sentimental Journey: The Way We Were,” Sept. 12-15. Photo by Steve Niemann

With no directing experience before joining the Follies, Wheeler’s background in music stems from her time singing in

choirs during high school, and has also been the choir director at her church.

A friend invited her to audition for the

Follies, and “I’ve been here ever since,” she said.

“I sang my first secular song at the Civic 25 years ago,” Wheeler said. “I was just thrilled to death. It was very exciting.”

Pat Dodson, a more than 20-year veteran with the Follies, works as a tap instructor, passing along the dance to other seniors.

Dancing, she said, is a way for seniors to stay active, and has also been shown to reduce the chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

The seniors in the audience for the Follies have walked away inspired, she said.

“They like seeing people their age still up there and very active,” Dodson said. “That gives them incentive to try to do it as well.”

••• The Santa Cruz Follies will perform Sept. 12-15 at 1 p.m. at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St. in Santa Cruz. An additional performance will take place Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are available at the box office the day of the performance for $22, with proceeds benefiting the Market Street Senior Center.

Time for a digital health check-up

By NICOLE M. YOUNG, MSW Before my son left for college, I deleted the settings on his phone that limited latenight use and access to certain apps and websites. I’d set those limits so many years ago (when it was necessary for my sanity) that I’d forgotten about them.

Changing the settings was a small task but huge reminder of the new life he was beginning. I still have my teenage daughter ask permission before downloading apps so we can talk about what they are and why she wants them. I usually say yes, but often ask, “Why?” repeatedly. As in, “Why would anyone want an app that mimics slime?” I still don’t understand her answer, but I like knowing what goes on in her digital world.

APTOS

SOQUEL

CAPITOLA

This monthly column provides tips for anyone who is raising 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, email me at triplep@first5scc.org.

Dear Nicole, My kids (8, 14) are obsessed with their electronic devices. We have rules about screen time and social media, but sometimes it’s easier to let things go instead of getting into a fight. I’m worried about what they’re seeing (and doing) online, though. What can I do?

— Ismael Dear Ismael, Great question! Technology and digital media (websites, apps, social media, online video games, video streaming, etc.) have become a central part of many people’s lives — for better or worse. This is a good time to do a “digital health check-up” with your kids. Here are some tips: Talk with your kids about the digital media they’re viewing and using. Ask your kids to describe — or even show you — the videos, games, apps and websites on their devices and how they’re using them. Tell them you want to learn about their interests and make sure they’re being safe and responsible. Keep the conversation casual to encourage honesty.

If you see something that seems unsafe or

inappropriate for their ages, ask questions to understand what they’re viewing or using, then share your concerns. If needed, tell them you want to learn more about it on your own, and that content that’s clearly unsafe or inappropriate will need to be removed or blocked.

Revisit the family rules. It’s great that you have family rules — that’s an important step! If the rules aren’t being followed, it’s possible they’re too hard to remember or enforced consistently. Family rules work best when they’re limited to a few simple things that focus on what to do instead of what not to do – for example, “Finish homework before screen time,” “Turn off screens at mealtimes and bedtime,” or “Ask before downloading.” If the family rules are reasonable but you’re hesitant to hold your kids responsible for following them, try starting with one rule. Let your kids know you’ve been relaxed about the rules and are working on being consistent.

Review the rules together and see if they have questions or suggestions. Talk about what will happen if they don’t follow the rules, such as losing screen time privileges.

Make sure the action is something you’re willing and able to do.

Talk about safe and respectful online behavior. Your kids might roll their eyes or say that nothing bad has happened (or will happen) to them online — i.e. you’re overreacting. If this happens, tell them that reviewing privacy settings and guidelines for online behavior is a “digital health check-up,” like visiting a doctor before health problems occur.

Review the privacy settings on their devices and talk about the benefits and risks of different settings. For instance, many

apps can share the location of a mobile device, which is helpful when locating a lost phone or fun when posting on social media, but risky if kids unintentionally share their location online with strangers.

Adjust the settings as needed and teach your kids to do this on their own.

Talk about the “digital footprint” they create each time they share things online.

Remind them that photos, texts and comments could still be saved or used to hurt or embarrass them (or others), even years later. It’s often hard for kids to understand or believe this concept, but it’s important to talk about.

Final Thoughts: Using technology and digital media safely and responsibly are important skills for kids to develop. And, as we teach our kids these skills, they could probably teach us a lot about using technology in new and interesting ways.

••• Nicole Young is the mother of two children, ages 14 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.

12 - LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

SEPTEMBER 2018

SEPTEMBER 2018

SPORTS

Kokkinakis wins both titles at Nordic Naturals Challenger

LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel - 13

WITH

TONY NUNEZ

By TONY NUNEZ APTOS — Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis joined a small group of competitors on Aug. 12 in scoring a singles and doubles title at the 31st annual Nordic Naturals Challenger in Aptos.

Kokkinakis, ranked 199th in the world, earned a 6-2, 6-3 win over Lloyd Harris of South Africa to capture the singles championship, and then secured the doubles crown with his countryman Matt Reid in a 6-2, 4-6, 10-8 victory against Johnny O’Mara and Joe Salisbury, both of Great Britain.

Kokkinakis became just the fifth player in the tournament’s history to win both the singles and doubles titles.

Chris Guccione was the last player to accomplish the feat, doing so in 2009.

Kokkinakis earned $14,400 for his singles win, and split the $6,200 prize with Reid for the triumph in doubles.

Kokkinakis entered the tournament as the No. 4 seed after an early exit from the Los Cabos Open the week before, and he lived up to the seeding.

He scored quick wins over Max Purcell (6-2, 6-2) and Kaichi Uchida (7-5, 6-0) before edging No. 8 seed Prajnesh Gunneswaran (4-6, 6-4, 6-3) to earn a spot in the semifinals.

He upended top-seeded Thomas Fabbiano with a 7-5, 6-1 win on Aug. 11 to advance to his first Challenger championship match of the year and second overall.

Harris, ranked 145th, arrived at the Seascape Sports Club on a hot streak, having won the Lexington Challenger a week prior with five sweeps.

He continued his winning ways in Aptos, sweeping Quentin Halys (6-4, 6-2), Joris De Loore (6-2, 6-0), Liam Borady (6-2, 6-2) and Christopher Eubanks (6-2, 6-2), but was unable to capture his fifth championship of the year — he won three titles at the ITF Futures level.

Harris won $8,480 for his runner-up finish.

Thanasi Kokkinakis of Australia claimed first place in the Men’s Singles at the Nordic Naturals Challenger at the Seascape Sports Club. Photo by Tarmo Hannula

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100 Westridge Dr., Watsonville

831.761.7300

SEPTEMBER 2018

14 - LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Ongoing

Sept. 13

Sept. 28

Movies at the Beach

Breakfast Meeting

‘Pivot Towards Your Purpose’

Free movies will be shown near Capitola Beach at 7:30 p.m. On Sept. 7, “Zootopia� will be screened, followed by “A Wrinkle in Time� on Sept. 14. All movies are shown on the stage on the Esplanade.

The Aptos Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly breakfast meeting at the Best Western Seacliff Inn, 7500 Old Dominion Court in Aptos, from 7:30-9 a.m.

Robert Bailey, owner of Bailey Properties, will give an update on real estate both locally and nationally. Admission is $20 for chamber members, or $25 for nonmembers. For reservations, call 6881467.

This full-day women’s leadership conference will feature presentations and workshops led by local female leaders. It will be held at the Resource Center for Nonviolence, 612 Ocean St. in Santa Cruz. The conference is from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (food provided), with a cocktail hour to follow from 5-7 p.m. For information and tickets, visit pivotevent.com.

Sept. 16

‘Bites and Brews’

Sept. 7 Farm to Table Wine Dinner A dinner featuring Soquel Vineyards, Stagnaros and Live Earth Farm will take place at Chaminade Resort & Spa, One Chaminade Lane in Santa Cruz, at 6 p.m. For information and tickets, visit www.chaminade.com.

Sept. 8-9 Art & Wine Festival The 36th annual Capitola Art & Wine Festival will feature more than 150 artists and 22 Santa Cruz Mountain wineries. The festival runs on Sept. 8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sept. 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For information, call 475-6522.

Sept. 12-16 Santa Cruz County Fair The annual fair, this year themed as “Bounty of the County,� will take place at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Ave. in Watsonville. For information, visit www.santacruzcountyfair.com.

Opera at the Beach A free, family-friendly rendition of Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte will be performed by The Bay Shore Lyric Opera at the Capitola Esplanade from noon to 3 p.m.

Sept. 22 ‘A Taste of Soquel’ “A Taste of Soquel - Food and Music for the Common Good� will be held at Congregational Church of Soquel, 4951 Soquel Drive, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event, featuring local restaurants, wineries and breweries, is a benefit for Second Harvest Food Bank. Admission is $25 for adults and $10 for children ages 12-20. For information, visit www.tasteofsoquel.org.

Trusted

SEPTEMBER 2018 APTOS

SOQUEL

CAPITOLA

Sept. 29 The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s first-ever ‘Bites and Brews’ will be held at the amusement park from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event pairs a selection of local craft beer with dozens of sample-size Boardwalk menu items ranging from corn dog bites, lobster tacos and chipotle chicken wraps to deep fried Oreos and chocolate covered bacon. For information and tickets, visit beachboardwalk.com/ boardwalk-bites-brews.

Sept. 29-30 Capitola Beach Festival The first Capitola Beach Festival will be held in Capitola Village. It will include a 5K run, horseshoe tournament, lighted nautical parade, fishing derby, sand sculpture contest, chalk art event, rowboat races and more.

For information, visit capitolabeachfestival.com.

The rip-off scheme by the U.S. pharmaceutical industry To the Editor,

Life Aptos, Capitola, Soquel welcomes letters and guest columns about local issues.

Letters should be about 300 words or less.

Guest columns should run no longer than about 800 words and should include a one-paragraph biography at the end of the column and a photograph if available.

Letters and columns may be dropped off at the RegisterPajaronian, 100 Westridge Drive, Watsonville, CA 95076. Email is the best way to send columns and letters — newsroom@registerpajaronian.com.

Our fax number is 722-8386.

All submissions must be signed and have a street address and phone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit and condense all submissions.

Mr. Chris Collins, a Republican member of the House of Representatives, has been arrested on charges of insider trading and lying to the FBI. The trading involved an Australian pharmaceutical firm that ran a failed test in the U.S. that exposed a group of insider traders including Collins.

This incident brings to mind one of my pet peeves: The rip-off being conducted by the U.S. pharmaceutical industry. I have not studied this problem but it is a prominent subject of discussion on radio and TV. I am one who makes frequent visits to the drug store and have been shocked by the price of some of my prescriptions. More than once I have refused the item as the price was simply ridiculous. Anyone paying attention is aware that drugs are more expensive here than elsewhere in the developed world. Many Americans travel abroad or arrange for mail delivery to acquire less expensive drugs.

Unfortunately, costly drugs are only one of a number of problems that have come with the evolution of our economy and the political situation, particularly during the past 40 years and the administrations of the four Republican presidents who have sent the national debt soaring sky-high.

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PAJARO VALLEY

• new/used books • children’s books • 1 minute off hwy 1 Watsonville’s Independent Bookstore

• unique gifts • special orders – no charge!

Open Monday - Saturday 10am - 6pm Sunday 11am - 4pm •

Thomas Stumbaugh Aptos

All-Express: Improvements in transportation (and housing) To the Editor, An All-Express passenger rail system could have been safely implemented 50 years ago to actually provide: 1. Everyone non-stop express between any two stations concurrently — regardless of how many stations are involved or added later.

2. Gentler starts and stops than BART. 3. Probably a more favorable cost/performance to alternatives If such an All-Express concept was implemented on the High Speed Rail corridor, the increased supply of affordable housing in the Central Valley with practical access to jobs would lure people out of their cars. People moving to the Central Valley would in turn help to alleviate traffic on Highway 1 and other local roadways.

The concept is on the U.S. Government patent pending website and is also viewable via the following link which presents the concept and more justification: tinyurl.com/yd7unoax.

Please help to make the concept of All-Express happen for a better path into the future.

Bob Fifield Aptos

CHIROPRACTIC

Dr. Rita Slobodian provides gentle Chiropractic care with an emphasis on safe and effective health care. • Chronic Pain Relief • Women’s Health • Sports & Weekend Warrior Injuries • Injury Prevention

Additional Services: •Message •Acupuncture •Integrative Healing •Nutritional Counseling Dr. Rita Slobodian 6233 Soquel Dr., Ste: D, Aptos Office: (831) 465-0160 dr.rita@bodytimechiropractic.com

SEPTEMBER 2018

LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel - 15

16 - LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

SEPTEMBER 2018