Sports Page 12
Rock band Page 2
APTOS
APRIL 2016
SOQUEL
CAPITOLA EVERYTHING APTOS, CAPITOLA & SOQUEL
Vol. 4 No. 9
Cabrillo trustees place bond measure on ballot
HISTORY CORNER By John Hibble Call: 688-1467 Visit us online: aptoshistory.org Visit the museum:
7605-B Old Dominion Court Aptos, CA
Staff report
When does something become historic?
It is not my intention to write an article every May about the anniversary of the Aptos History Museum but this year is special in many ways. Ten years does not make the history museum historic but on May 15 we will be celebrating the museum’s 10th birthday as an historic milestone. Well, if you live to be 100 years old do you become historic? What does the museum’s 10th anniversary and living to be 100 have in common? That would be Karl Mertz. The Aptos History Museum would be a far less interesting place if it were not for Karl Mertz. Some of our most interesting artifacts and Please turn to Page 7
Rail trestle mural II going up Aptos muralist Arturo Thomae gets started on a new mural on the rail trestle on the south end of Aptos on Soquel Drive on March 30. The project, spearheaded by Steve Allen, owner of Allen Property Group of Aptos, is the second such trestle mural. The first installment depicting era apple box labels and an apple growing theme was completed on the opposite end of the same span of rail tracks. The new mural will depict the Jupiter locomotive at the Aptos Station, the Hihn mill, oxen and early day apple box labels. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
APTOS — Following a special study session and public comments made by community speakers from throughout Santa Cruz County, the Cabrillo College Board of Trustees unanimously voted March 7 to place a local education bond measure on the June 7, 2016 ballot. “Tonight we’ve heard from students, faculty, and community members who have spoken about Cabrillo’s important role in Santa Cruz County and who have conveyed that we need to continue to help our students transfer to four-year universities as well as prepare for wellpaying careers in the area,” said Trustee Gary Reece. “This measure will help us upgrade our outdated technology, expand classrooms and enhance labs for STEM fields so we can continue to offer the high caliber of affordable education for which Cabrillo College is known.” The Cabrillo College Technology, Job Training and Classroom Repair Measure is a $310 million education bond that would make repairs and upgrades to the college. “The demands of the 21st century workforce include an increased emphasis Please turn to Page 7
Aptos History Museum Volunteers needed celebrates anniversary for Senior Wish Day By ERIK CHALHOUB APTOS — When John and Karen Hibble began managing the Aptos Chamber of Commerce in 1985 in Redwood Village, Bob Bailey, who had a real estate office in the same center, gave them a photo of the Aptos railroad station. The Hibbles decided to display the photo
in the Chamber’s office. Soon, visitors would ask, where is the rail station in Aptos? While the rail station had been torn down in the 1930s, the photo sparked an interest in the community, who wanted to learn more about Aptos’ history. “Other people said, ‘I have some cool pictures I’ll share with you,’” John Hibble said. “We began building an inventory of photographs.” With that, the Aptos History Museum was born. But it wasn’t until May 24, 2006 when the museum moved to its current location on Old Dominion Court and celebrated with a grand opening. On May 15, the museum will be celebrating its 10th anniversary with “Swing Into Spring,” to be held at the Seacliff Inn and Aptos History Museum from 3-5:30 p.m. Inside the
John and Karen Hibble founded the Aptos History Museum. They are planning a celebration for May 15. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
Please turn to Page 6
By ERIK CHALHOUB SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — Twenty-one years ago, a group of volunteers visited seniors around the area to help them with home repairs. As the event grew every year, the group decided they needed more volunteers to fill the everexpanding list of needs. Now, the 21st annual Senior Wish Day returns to Santa Cruz County on May 7, and organizers are reaching out to the community
to gather volunteers. Jeff Thranow, owner of Costa Bella Builders, which sponsors the one-day event, said last year a volunteer team of 71 people repaired items in more than 167 homes. However, the group had received requests from 183 seniors, but they were unable to help them due to a shortage of volunteers. “Our event is driven by the number of volunteers we get,” Thranow said. “More helpers Please turn to Page 6
Guest columns... Croxall Capital Planning
9
Ask Nicole
10
Ruth Bates
10
Zach Friend
11
Becky Steinbruner
11
Inside ...
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April 2016
2 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
A chance to rock Teacher holds band practice after school for elementary students
To the Editor,
Rio Del Mar Elementary School’s band, Suit and Ties, run through a rehearsal recently after school. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
By BEK PHILLIPS APTOS — Dwarfed by instruments almost as big as they are, elementary school children sound out popular tunes as part of an after-school program meant to give children the chance to rock. The seventh year Martin Sweet has held the program at Rio Del Mar Elementary School, he said it stemmed from an idea from a friend. “He said ‘you should do kid rock’ and it just took off from there,” Sweet said. “I played the clarinet in school, and this is way cooler.” Now they perform two assemblies a year as well as “all kinds of benefits” that include performing at places such as Aptos St. BBQ. “It makes me happy when I play,” said fourth-grader Bella Christie, who plays guitar and sings. “I like how it feels. I like the look of them, the sound of them ... everything.”
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To date she has been playing guitar for a year, and is part of both bands that Sweet runs: Cats on the Block and Suit and Ties. “We are getting really good,” Bella said in between practices. “I want to play guitar my whole life, I don’t think I could choose.” Drummer Carter Allen, also in fourth grade, takes lessons on the side after getting started at a Bella Christie, 9, a fourth-grader at Rio Del Mar Elementary School, plays electric guitar and ukelele in the school’s band, Suit and Ties. neighbor’s house. “I just like Photo by Tarmo Hannula playing the music,” he said. “I like the oldies, like the stuff from the ‘80s, the Beatles. It is really fun.” Besides allowing children to play music with rock instruments, it is also giving them the opportunity to develop a higher self-esteem. “I wanted to be in the band for a while,” sixth-grader and vocalist Darian Tinsley said. “But I didn’t think I was good enough, or capable. Just knowing I am capable is pretty cool.” It is not only the children that are affected. Teachers had been reported to have a change of heart when watching typically underperforming students Autumn Zaretsky plays keyboards in Suit and Ties. Photo have a chance to perform by Tarmo Hannula with skill. “Teachers were crying “We have been able to purchase some seeing these students perform,” Sweet things through the after-school program recalled. “It is really gratifying for me — and performing at benefits,” he said. “But they are cute kids.” the neat part is for them to get out and Over time, Sweet has been able to buy perform.” equipment and instruments for his students.
I get most of my truthful news from the Dish Network, very little of which is available on the mainstream T.V. or print media. A few days ago, Thom Hartmann quoted President Jimmy Carter, who had said that our Democracy has “become an Oligarchy with unlimited political bribery.” I have a notion that something very much like an Oligarchy is afoot here in Santa Cruz County; government by county officials with their hands in control of political power and very much under the influence of a faction of others who control much of the big money. During the County Board of Supervisors meeting on Dec. 8, an audience of more than 50 people, 40 or more of whom, including a licensed attorney, spoke against approval of the Aptos Village Project final map pointing out the several ways that the map is illegal. The final map does not comport substantially with the original plan map as required by law. The Board listened to the speaker, quietly approved the map and, except for one member, quickly got up and left the room. The Supervisors hold the reins of power and have all the money they need to do what they will; money which comes from the pockets of the general public. And the Board has been closely working with the Aptos Village Project developers to satisfy their wishes, seemingly not always adequately informing the public of the details. However, if members of the public wish to protest issues related to the project, they must pay a $1,200 fee and/or hire a lawyer costing several thousands of dollars. Must the public sue the Board of Supervisors to force them to do their job properly? The U.S. Constitution requires that government “promote the general welfare.” This does not fill that bill. I would like to see the following: 1. The County Government assign someone to closely monitor the Aptos Village Project to assure that the developers comply with all required oversight and permits. There is some question as to whether they are doing so. 2. The Village Project developers be held to account for the submission of the illegal final map and required to correct the situation. 3. The establishment by County Government of a means providing the public the ability of lodging reasonable and appropriate objections and complaints related to government actions including funding and legal representation. 4. Perhaps it is time to consider incorporation for Aptos enabling residents to have more say about what happens in their community.
Thomas Stumbaugh Aptos
April 2016
LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 3
Community raises $35K for dance scholarships Staff report APTOS — The second annual Carrie’s Dream Dance Showcase Fundraiser exceeded last year’s numbers handily, raising more than $35,000 for local dance scholarships during two shows on Feb. 21. More than 150 dancers from five dance studios (Agape Dance Academy, Carmel Academy of Performing Arts, Elaine’s Dance Studio, Pacific Arts Complex, and Sammy’s Animation Dance Community), a Carrie Alumni and soloist Alex Beaudoin who now dances at UCLA, and the Aptos High School Dance Team danced for two packed shows at the Aptos High School Performing Arts Center. Nearly 800 people attended the event. The late Steps Dance Studio owner Carrie Dianda McCoid’s daughter Maryella, now 3 years old, stole the show by dancing and waving to the crowd. McCoid’s mother Carolyn Dianda and sister Gina Dianda Bahten spoke about how thankful they are that Carrie had not been forgotten and how they were touched that the community has created a tribute to Carrie and her dream.
Many local businesses and individuals hop skills. The video can be seen at www. donated and worked together to make this carriesdream.org or on the Carrie’s Dream year’s event a success, surpassing last Facebook page. year’s $23,500 total. Many of the dollars It is the goal of Carrie’s Dream to cover were raised through the auctioning of all the scholarship needs at PAC and to raise donated items from as many additional local families and dollars for dance in businesses. Santa Cruz County as The $35,000 raised possible. In addition is expected to cover to the funds raised for most of the scholarship dance scholarships needs at Pacific Arts at PAC, 10 percent Complex “PAC” for of the ticket sales the 2016-2017 dance totaling more than season. Carrie’s $1,200 were raised Dream Scholarship for the Aptos High Applications will School Dance Team. be accepted at PAC A total of $500 in during the month of scholarship funds May. were also awarded Carrie’s Dream to each of the organizers announced Carrie McCoid’s daughter Maryella McCoid participating dance the total funds raised (from left), niece Megan Bahtan, sister studios totaling through a dance video Gina Dianda Bahten and mother Carolyn $2,000. featuring dozens of Dianda speak on stage during the Carrie’s “Carrie’s Dream PAC dancers showing Dream Dance Showcase on Feb. 21. Photo plans to expand the off their jazz and hip- by Denise Russo Photography number of dance
studios and dance teams that participate in this community fundraising event next year,” said Ashley Tapley, one of the event organizers. “As we grow, we hope to increase scholarship funds raised for dancers throughout our community.” The Carrie’s Dream Scholarship Fund is a project of Pacific Arts Complex. PAC has two studio locations, one in Santa Cruz and one in Watsonville, with classes including everything from ballet to videography. Although Carrie’s Dream is not a nonprofit entity, this project was created in order to expand and provide dance scholarships for students in the Santa Cruz County community who otherwise would not have the opportunity and resources to dance. The following businesses provided financial support for Carrie’s Dream: The Barre Studio Capitola, Contractor Advertising, Mike O’ Boy of Sereno Group, Midtown Café, Denise Russo Photography, Midtown Café, Paper & Ink, Poco Solar Energy Inc., Viscaria Dancewear & David Rocco DeTeso at Wells Fargo Mortgage. For information visit www.CarriesDream. org.
Fish veterinary hospital opens By TARMO HANNULA SOQUEL — Dr. Jessie Sanders posed with a giant fish, played by Sean McGauley, Feb. 26 at the front counter of her new business as part of a grand opening. The only Certified Aquatic Veterinarian operating between Fresno and Sebastopol, Sanders is now operating Aquatic Veterinary Services, the medical arm; and Santa Cruz Koi, which will, she said, “provide professional pond solutions for all your koi-keeping woes.” “We offer full veterinary services for fish, from your basic physical exam to surgery,” Sanders said. “A lot of what we
do is educate people about keeping their fish in a healthy environment and making sure they are getting proper nutrients.” Having already operated a mobile service for the past three years, Sanders said she was pleased to open her new clinic and shop. “Believe me, it was a long time coming and a lot of work,” she said. Sanders is certified to treat all forms of aquatic pets, including fish, turtles and frogs. “Fish are the third most common pet in the U.S., and in total numbers, there are more of them than dogs and cats,” she said. Santa Cruz Koi will offer a wide range
of mechanical features, such as filters, pumps and skimmers, and will also sell koi health supplies, including veterinaryrecommended foods and treatments. It will accept online orders for products, and staff will be available to consult with pond owners on their fish environments. “Santa Cruz Koi will be a koi owner’s one-stop shop,” Sanders said. For information, visit santacruzkoi.com or call 3466151.
Dr. Jessie Sanders is shown with Nemo, the giant fish played by Sean McGauley, at the grand opening of Aquatic Veterinary Services and Santa Cruz Koi, 4601-B Soquel Drive. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
She Wore Blue Velvet Soft, rich blue velvet. It was the fabric of my mother’s favorite suit. She made it herself in the late 50’s after saving for months to buy the fabric on her file clerk salary. But she only wore her velvet suit on special days—Sundays and holidays. Each year, all the way through high school, she would make a special dress for me too. And after fitting it perfectly, she delivered the same loving advice, “Stand tall”. Now, mom doesn’t remember that advice. In fact, she struggles to get my name right and is losing the ability to button her coats. She can still hum the music of those days because that’s how Alzheimer’s works. It steals memories of many of our favorite people, but memories of music often remain. Our family juggles her daily needs, but we are now at the point where 24-hour care is needed. And we need to care for our children too. When memory loss caused by aging and dementia progress and the needs of your loved one demand more time from you, it can be a very difficult challenge. That’s when you may consider a visit to Áegis Living. We are a trusted source for senior living. From transitional care to memory care, our specially trained, dedicated staff serve our residents within a vibrant comfortable home. We’re here to help. Call for lunch and a tour!
Áegis of Aptos 125 Heather Terrace Aptos, CA 95003
831-706-2956 AegisofAptos.com
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April 2016
4 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
DARE TO PAIR
BASKETBALL FOUNDATION
FASHION SHOW
Cabrillo students, Surf City Vintners team up for event Staff report SANTA CRUZ — Cabrillo Community College’s culinary students are teaming up with the Surf City Vintners group of Santa Cruz wineries for the seventh annual “Dare to Pair” food and wine challenge on April 10. Teams of culinary students will prepare appetizers paired with wine from the Surf City wineries in a competition that raises funds for the culinary program at the college. The pairings are judged by the public for a “People’s Choice” Award, as well as by local chefs and celebrities for additional awards. The competition will take place Sunday, April 10 from 12-3 p.m. at the tasting rooms of the Surf City Vintners wineries off of Swift and Ingalls streets in Santa Cruz, all located within two blocks of each other. Participants walk from winery to winery to sample the food and wine pairings and vote on their favorites. The awards will be announced at 4:30 p.m. during an After Party with live music at Equinox Champagne Cellars from 2:30-5 p.m. Tickets are $65 in advance (the event sells out) and are available online at www.daretopair.org or by calling the ticket hotline at 435-3000. For information, visit www.daretopair.org. All proceeds will benefit the Cabrillo Community College Culinary Arts program. “Dare to Pair is an opportunity for our students to showcase their skills, and for the public to enjoy their culinary creations paired with our great local wines. In addition to the “People’s Choice” awards, local chefs and wine professionals will judge the competition. Celebrity judges include Eva McClure, food and beverage manager, Hilton of Scotts Valley and graduate of the Cabrillo College culinary program; Kirsten Ponza, executive chef, Chaminade; and others.
Photo by Expressive Photographics”
Aptos Youth Basketball Foundation established, seeks donations
Fashion show benefits Caroline’s Thrift Shop Staff report APTOS — Enjoy a lunch at Seascape Beach Resort with host, Dr. Laurel Jones, while watching a fashion show with models walking the runway with music provided by DJ Jenn. The “Hats off to Spring Fashion Show” will be held Sunday, April 10 from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Seascape Beach Resort. The afternoon will also feature a trunk show with a dozen local boutiques selling merchandise, including clothing, hair accessories, handbags, handmade lotions and soaps, jewelry of all kinds, and more. The show is presented by the Aptos Chamber of Commerce. Fashions provided by Aptos Shoes and Apparel, Cali Couture Boutique, Cinnamon Bay, Hopscotch, Klub Nico, O’Neill Surf Shop, Pacific Wave, Patrick James, Santa Cruz Boardroom, Xandra Swimwear, Bridal Veil Fashion, Choice Clothing, and Urban Sanctuary. Limited seats are available. Reservations are $50 per person, $25 children 10 and under. Table sponsorships are available. For tickets, call 688-1467 Partial proceeds to benefit Caroline’s Non-Profit Thrift Shop in Aptos, whose primary focus is to raise money for Santa Cruz County nonprofits that have programs and/or services for children with special medical, developmental or physiological needs.
10th Annual
Walk-a-thon & Eco-Carnival
Staff report APTOS — Aptos Youth Basketball Foundation (AYBF) is a newly established nonprofit organization. The mission of AYBF is to provide college scholarships, basketball camps, basketball shoes, tutors, equipment and more for student athletes who participate in the Aptos Youth Basketball Association (AYBA). AYBA was organized in 1968 by the recreation department and interested parents in the community for the purpose of providing a recreational youth basketball league in the Aptos Area. AYBA continues to provide recreation and friendly competition for more than 250 youths every year. AYBF hopes to raise $49,000 in its first year. Tax deductible donations can be mailed to PO Box 944, Soquel, CA 95073 with checks payable to AYBF. For information, contact Chris Grieves at 588-3086 or chris@cpsales.com.
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April 2016
LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 5
DIABETES SEMINAR
SMALL BUSINESS
Seminar offered on reversing diabetes
Wells Fargo awards grant to Small Business Development Center
Staff report WATSONVILLE — Nutritionist and speaker Maria Jose Hummell, MPH will be presenting a fiveweek seminar on reversing diabetes. She will be highlighting the latest studies which show that in most cases of type 2 diabetes, patients can reverse their symptoms and under medical supervision reduce or eliminate medications by using these simple lifestyle strategies and changes taught each night. During this five-week seminar, Hummell will be demonstrating healthy meals after each lecture. She will be offering a 10-day challenge along with 30 nutritious recipes for every meal in the 10 days. Participants will have the opportunity to have their vitals checked before and after the 10-day challenge for comparison. The lectures, handouts and meals are free, however, a donation box is available for anyone wanting to help support the cost of this free event. All staff and help are unpaid volunteers. Hummell is donating her time and expertise at no cost. There will be a $12 fee for the optional baseline random glucose and cholesterol testing. The after test will be free, while supplies last. The seminar begins Wednesday, April 6 at 7 p.m. and is the first of five consecutive Wednesdays. It is held at Seventh Day Adventist Church, Health Education Center, 700 South Green Valley Road in Watsonville. For information, call 325-7993.
RESCUE READERS
Staff report APTOS — The Santa Cruz County Business Development Center (SBDC) recently received a donation of $10,000 from Wells Fargo Bank as the principal sponsor of the 2016 SBDC Small Business Seminar Series. This marks an entire decade of support with offerings including “Writing Your Best Business Plan,” “Solving the Social Media Puzzle,” and “Recordkeeping for Small Business.” “Wells Fargo is pleased to continue our sponsorship of the SBDC Small Business Seminar Series. We are proud of our legacy of helping small businesses in our community thrive and grow,” said Sandi Eason, Wells Fargo Regional Senior Vice President of Business Banking. “The SBDC is very grateful for Wells Fargo’s continued support,” said Teresa Thomae, Director of the Santa Cruz SBDC at Cabrillo College. “Their sponsorship allows us to charge a nominal fee and provides more intensive follow-up business counseling to the attendees. They are helping us create new businesses new jobs, and increase sales for our small business clients. As the largest SBA lender in California, it’s great they are bringing their support to the local level.” This year’s series will help local, small business owners plan for profitability and learn the basics of business planning, social media strategies and bookkeeping and is co-sponsored by Cabrillo College Extension, and City and County of Santa Cruz Economic Development Departments. Seating is limited for the seminar series and advance registration is required. Register at the SBDC website at www.santacruzsbdc.org.
SPCA offers ‘Rescue Readers’ program Staff report SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — The Santa Cruz SPCA has launched a new Humane Education program called “Rescue Readers,” which is designed to give young readers a chance to practice and enhance their literacy levels in the presence of shelter animals. The Rescue Readers program is for students in grades one through eight and can accommodate individuals or groups of up to 18 children. Sessions can last between 30 minutes to an hour and kids can choose to read to cats, dogs, or both. Each Rescue Reader group is led and supervised by Santa Cruz SPCA’s Humane Educator, Brenna Ewing. Teachers, parents, or anyone interested in learning more about the Rescue Readers program or how to schedule a session, can contact Brenna at Brenna@ spcasc.org or 566-3753. The Main Shelter is located at 2685 Chanticleer Ave. in Santa Cruz and is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and both Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The SPCA Adoption Center and Gift Shop located in the Capitola Mall near Target is open Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and both Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For information, visit www.spcasc.org or call 4655000.
Be a part of Monterey Bay Travel Adventures and take advantage of this great opportunity to reach thousands of visitors each year! The Aptos Chamber Visitor Center is one of the only two CalTrans Visitor Information Centers in Santa Cruz County with Hwy 1 signage and serves thousands of visitors to the county annually. Our visitors want to know about your business!
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April 2016
6 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
Museum anniversary 700-square-foot museum lies artifacts from Aptos’ past, from the guest register from the Bay View Hotel, to a chalkboard displaying departure times from the Aptos rail station, and more. A timeline circles the building, pointing out notable moments in the town’s history while juxtaposing them with events around the world. Hibble credited community members, including Karl Mertz, Carolyn Swift and Sandy Lydon, for donating artifacts. “The community has built this museum by giving us all these wonderful things,” he said. Karen Hibble said she has seen how much the museum has resonated with the community. “You get this feeling of connection,” she said. “History connects people better than anything.” She noted that the museum is run by
Continued from page 1
donations, and does not receive funding from the county. “It’s done just with the labor of love,” Karen Hibble said. The goal with “Swing into Spring” is to raise enough money to pay the museum’s rent for a year, she said. Admission is $25 for museum members, and $30 for non-members. The event will feature a “Roaring ‘20s” themed silent auction, with a performance by the Soquel High Jazz Band. “Aptos is an amazing place, and if it wasn’t for the museum, we wouldn’t really see how incredible our history’s been,” John Hibble said. ••• The Aptos History Museum is located on 7605-B Old Dominion Court. For information, visit www.aptoshistory.org or call 688-1467.
An original train time schedule is used inside the museum as a photo story board of Aptos Station. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
Senior Wish Day
Continued from page 1
equates directly to more senior households that we can serve.” Thranow said the repairs volunteers address are those that will go unresolved without their assistance, such as plumbing leaks, electrical issues, installing carbon monoxide alarms and more. “In some cases, this will leave an unsafe or hazardous situation in the home, possibly endangering the occupants,” he said. The free service is targeted toward lowincome senior homeowners. “The group of our neighbors that Senior
Wish Day focuses on are often living on a precarious edge, where weekly financial considerations may dictate just what they can and cannot afford to do,” Thranow said. “In addition, they are sometimes home bound, socially isolated and lack nearby relatives who would traditionally attend to their needs.” Yearly outreach to Grey Bears results in more requests from seniors than the group can address, but with more volunteers, Thranow is hoping to fulfill as many requests as possible. For the past four years, the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz
County has partnered with the effort, and will do so again this year. “Our volunteers have an opportunity to bring a compassionate connection with the elder while in their home to attend to some needed task that would otherwise
go undone,” he said. “It’s a heartfelt and appreciated contribution that really makes a difference in the lives of the recipients we serve.” For information on volunteering, contact Thranow at jeff@costabellabuilders.com.
Volunteers gather during the Senior Wish Day kick-off event in 2015. Contributed photo
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April 2016
History Corner
LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 7 Continued from page 1
photographs have been donated by Karl and May 17 will be Karl’s 100th birthday. Karl is the great-grandson of Claus Mangels, the business partner and brotherin-law of Claus Spreckels the sugar millionaire. Spreckels and Mangels both owned portions of Aptos in the late 1800s. My wife Karen and I began to acquire historic Aptos memorabilia in 1985. It all started with the donation of a single photograph of the Aptos train station. We put it up on the wall in our office, thereby starting the chain of donations that would eventually become the Aptos History Museum. It was rumored that the old guest register from the Bay View Hotel belonged to someone in the community. It turned out that the guest register was actually from Clause Spreckels’ Aptos Hotel (on Spreckels Drive), and that Karl Mertz owned the guest register. After many years, Karl gifted that register to our museum collection along with many more incredible artifacts. Karl has gifted us the sign from the railroad station, the chalk board that announced the arrival time for the trains, games from the Mangels House including a domino set, a spinning card game and a bean bag toss which third-graders on their history field trips, love to play. He has also gifted us a basket collection from his grandmother and a canvas steamer trunk from John Henry Mangels. Added to these treasures are reams of important documents and incredible photographs. Karl has been the museum’s most generous donor. Thank you Karl and Happy Birthday. Now, it is time to celebrate all of the donations, stories, volunteers and visitors that have made the Aptos History Museum such a success story. The museum officially opened its collection to the public on May 24, 2006. As a purely volunteer driven effort, the community has done a
wonderful job of building an exceptional collection of historic materials which document and celebrate the history of our area. Annually, it becomes a classroom for local third grade classes as part of their history curriculum. The Museum is a resource for local historians and authors and a delight to visitors. Yet keeping the Museum open and operating has always been a bit of a “high wire” act. Our funding is entirely from memberships and donations. We have an annual fundraiser which is the make or break event for Museum finances. This year it is a new event called “Swing into Spring” and will be held on Sunday, May 15 at the Seacliff Inn and the Aptos History Museum across the street. It will be a “Roaring ‘20s” themed silent auction with jazz music and prizes for best costume if you choose to “dress up.” There will be hors d’oeuvres, a no-host bar and docent tours of the Museum. We are working hard to find unique items for the auction. In fact, if you have a passion that you are willing to share as an auction item we would love to showcase it. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is donating a huge “Jaws” fiberglass shark’s head, a perfect conversation piece to replace your lawn. We have a pop-up poker party, historical tours for small groups, a beach bonfire marshmallow roast for 10, a rowboat picnic, archery tag, a chance to help decorate a Begonia Festival float, a ride in a 1963 Porsche 356 Cabriolet to the Tour de Elegance, and more. I will be offering a Scotch whisky tasting for six to show what makes Scotch different from all other whiskies, and how to drink it. It will include a neutral whisky, a blended whisky, single malts from the five distinct Scotch districts whose flavors range from honey to sea brine, and also a dessert Scotch. We will provide home smoked salmon and accompany the tasting with bagpipes. If
A third grade class from Valencia School tours the Aptos History Museum.
you pay extra I won’t play the bagpipes. What’s not to love, (or hate?) Swing into Spring is in the late afternoon, 3-5:30 p.m., leaving you free to go on to dinner, a movie or whatever. Please consider bringing friends to the auction after which you can continue with a fun night out, all for a great cause. You will have fun. I certainly hope you can attend and support the Aptos History Museum. Please send me your best mailing address so that we can ensure that you receive your invitation. Let’s make history together.
In the meantime, our next “Coffee, Tea and History” event will be the history of the Croatians in the Pajaro Valley by Donna Mekis and Kathy Mekis-Miller. They have authored the book, “Blossoms into Gold.” I am looking forward to hearing their story and seeing their photo presentation as it comes highly recommended and in the words of historian Sandy Lydon, it “will knock your socks off.” The date is Saturday, April 16 from 3:30-5 p.m. Reservations only please as space is limited, 688-1467. $15 donation benefits the Aptos History Museum.
A thank-you letter the Aptos History Museum received from a student.
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The grand opening of the Aptos History Museum on May 24, 2006. Aptos History Museum collection
Cabrillo trustees on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields — accordingly, Cabrillo has recently experienced an increase in student demand for science, engineering, and math classes,” said Dr. Laurel Jones, President and Superintendent of Cabrillo College. “To meet this demand, Cabrillo needs large lecture classrooms that can provide the technology tools for faculty to enhance the classroom and that will help our students succeed as they transfer to four-year colleges and universities and excel in the 21st century economy.” In addition to addressing urgent and
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basic repairs for Cabrillo’s deteriorating, 1960s-era buildings, the bond measure would upgrade classroom technology, science labs and computer labs. It would also improve electrical systems and wiring for computers and wireless Internet access to enable distance education and online learning, in addition to making water and energy conservation improvements. The measure includes fiscal accountability requirements such as a Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee and independent annual financial and performance audits to monitor that funds are expended as promised.
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8 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
April 2016
April 2016
LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 9
Business to business
Linda Flores, owner of the Turkey Boat restaurant in Pajaro, dishes up samples to attendees of the Business Showcase presented by the Aptos and Capitola/Soquel Chambers of Commerce on Feb. 24. The 31st annual event, held at the Seascape Golf Club, featured more than 80 vendors. Photo by Erik Chalhoub
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Ted Honey, safety trainer with Pacific Gas & Electric, gives a presentation on electric safety. Photo by Erik Chalhoub
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The Sandwich Generation
By GARY E. CROXALL, CFP® and SOREN E. CROXALL, CFP® In the past, we’ve written articles about Baby Boomers and their preparation for their eventual retirement. However, there is another group who are not only having to financially take care of aging parents, but also adult children while still trying to save for their own retirement: the Sandwich Generation. In 2013, the Pew Research Center released a study on this demographic. They found that 47 percent of adults in their 40s and 50s are either raising a child or supporting an adult child and have at least one parent who is age 65 or older. The study further found that 15 percent of middle aged adults are providing financial support to both children and an aging parent. This presents a unique financial planning scenario for members of the Sandwich Generation which involves careful planning and follow-through. Do your research and get organized If you find yourself in the position of having to provide financial support to an aging parent or you suspect that this might be a possibility sometime in the future, start planning now. Try to become familiar with your parent’s finances. This might mean understanding what they have in terms of assets and where those assets are located. What liabilities do your parent’s owe, if any? What do they receive from various sources
like Social Security or a pension? If your parents still are young and healthy enough, you may want to research long term care insurance. A long term care event for one or both parents can have a devastating effect on their hard-earned assets. Talking with your parents about long term care insurance and how they might benefit from having it in the long run is an important discussion to have. We have seen situations where adult children share the premium cost of the long term care policy among themselves to offset some of the potential high out-of-pocket costs of assisted living or long term care for their parents in the future. If your parents are too old or not healthy enough to qualify for long term care insurance, you should at least research the costs of long term care facilities in your area so you are informed and able to plan accordingly. Children getting ready for college If you find yourself in a situation where you are providing support for an aging parent while also preparing for a child to enter college, be sure you have properly mapped out the costs involved. As tough as it may sound, children can take out loans to fund their educations. You cannot take out loans to fund your retirement. If it looks like you are going to have to cut back on your retirement savings to fund your child’s college education then consider alternatives. Some may include going to a state school vs. a private, going to two years of community college, or considering student loans to make up for funding gaps. Adult children living at home Adult children living with their parents seems to be a growing trend. If you are in this situation, it’s important that you establish financial parameters on what you will and will not pay for. Adult children should take some responsibility in paying for their own
expenses and also contributing to household expenses while living at home. You should also have a clearly defined move out date so your adult child doesn’t become a permanent resident. Dealing with the family dynamics of both children who are living at home or who have left and come back home as well as the additional challenge of providing emotional and financial support to aging parents can be overwhelming. There is no perfect solution that fits for everyone. Each family must make the hard decisions about what they are willing and able to do. Planning cannot solve all of these personal issues, but it can certainly give you the confidence of knowing what you may be capable of financially that is in everyone’s best interest.
Gary E. Croxall, CFP® Soren E. Croxall, CFP® Croxall Capital Planning Securities and Advisory Services offered through National Planning Corporation (NPC), member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Consulting and Investment Management offered through Croxall Capital Planning (CCP), a Registered Investment Advisor. CCP and NPC are separate and unrelated companies. NPC and CCP do not provide tax or legal advice. The information contained herein is for general education and is not intended as specific advice or a recommendation to any person or entity. The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of NPC.
April 2016
10 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
Guest Columnist
Guest Columnist
Ask Nicole: Parenting in a digital world By NICOLE M. YOUNG, MSW
Dear Nicole,
I’m dependent on technology. Some days, I spend more time with my phone than I do with my kids (don’t judge – they’re in school all day). I do the majority of my personal and work-related reading on the Internet. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I read a whole book (much to the dismay of my mom, who works in a bookstore). And I know my way around social media, which just means I know how to post, like, retweet and pin pretty pictures. But despite my love for technology, I hate seeing my kids’ eyes glued to their screens. And while I enjoy posting pictures of my kids on Facebook, the thought of my kids broadcasting their lives on social media makes me nervous. The “Logical Me” knows I have the parenting tools to teach my children how to be safe in this digital age. The “Emotional Me” just wants to scream, “No!” and go back to reading articles on the Internet about the dangers of the digital age. 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.
I’m not on social media, but I have friends who are. One friend recently saw a picture that my son posted on Instagram doing something inappropriate. She thinks I should talk to him about what he’s posting online and how that could hurt him someday. I was shocked because I had no idea he was using social media. He’s 14, but we’ve avoided it because of other parents’ horror stories. What should I do?
Hana Dear Hana, Technology has certainly changed the way we communicate, and social media has both benefits and drawbacks. The decision about whether and when kids are ready for social media will vary in each family. Here are a few tips to help you decide: Get familiar with social media applications (apps). Many parents distrust social media because of concerns about privacy, cyberbullying, sexting, inappropriate content or the effects on emotional health. The constant – and often exaggerated – updates about people’s lives often leaves kids and adults feeling excluded, inadequate, anxious or depressed. Several apps create a layer of secrecy that make it easy for people to do
and say things that are hurtful to others or put themselves at risk. Apps such as Yik Yak, Whisper, Kik, and ask.fm allow users to remain anonymous, while apps such as SnapChat create a false sense of security that risky photos and videos disappear after being sent and can’t be saved by the receiver. Several of these apps are known for being used to bully others or exchange sexually explicit photos with peers – or strangers! But not all social media apps are “bad,” and not everyone posts inappropriate or hurtful things. The more you know about social media, the more prepared you’ll be to talk with your son. Read articles, talk to your friends and their kids, or join a social networking site to get firsthand experience. Talk with your teen. Ask your son what he knows and what interests him about social media. Share what you’ve learned about the positive and risky aspects of social media. Ask him what he’s noticed among his peers, and what he would do if someone were being cyberbullied or engaging in risky behaviors. Listen closely and stay calm even if you hear answers that surprise or worry you. Having a calm discussion now will let him know he can come to you if there are problems later. His answers will also tell you whether he’s ready to follow rules about social media and do “the right thing,” even if it’s not the popular thing. Agree on rules and expectations. Discuss
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which apps he can use and which ones are off limits. Define the difference between posting things that are funny and harmless versus hurtful or dangerous to himself or others. Discuss how you’ll monitor his social media activity and what will happen if he’s using it inappropriately. Strive to find a balance between reassuring yourself that he’s safe and giving him the freedom to have an online social life. Final thoughts: There’s a saying, “Knowledge is power.” This is particularly true about social media. The more you know, the more you can teach your son how to make safe, respectful, appropriate choices — online or in person, with or without you. ••• Nicole Young is the mother of two children, ages 12 and 15, who also manages Santa Cruz County’s Triple P - 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. For information on Triple P classes and oneon-one sessions for parents, visit triplep. www.facebook.com/ first5scc.org, triplepscc or contact First 5 Santa Cruz County at 465-2217 or triplep@first5scc.
org.
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Aptos April real estate update By RUTH BATES Welcome Spring and Daylight Saving Time! The Real Estate market is poised to explode, or so everyone has been thinking ... but the reality is that we had an extremely slow first quarter. From Jan. 1 to March 21, only 45 homes have sold in Aptos. The highest sale was at 1080 Via Malibu — a 3 bed, 3.5 bath, 3,336 Sq. Ft. panoramic ocean view home that closed for $2,370,000 after 70 days on market. The remaining sales breakdown is $1.5M-$2.0M = 3 sales, $1.0M-$1.5M = 11 sales, $900K-$1.0M = 4 sales, $800K-$900K = 10 sales, $700K-$800K = 6 sales, $600K-$700K = 7 sales, and there were still 2 sales in the $500-$600K range. The Average Sales Price was $1,002,408 with an Avg. Days on Market of 61 (two months), Avg. Square Footage of 2,009, and an Avg. Price Per Square Foot of $512. The Median List Price was $875,000 and the Median Sales Price was $845,000 (97% of list). Buyers are willing to pay a premium for single-level homes. I just closed 441 Saint Andrews Drive in Rio Del Mar for the full list price of $1,159,000. This was a multiple offer situation for a single-level two bedroom + office, 2.5 bath, 1940 Sq. Ft. home – sales price per square foot was $597. On the same street, single-level 524 Saint Andrews sold for $1,050,000, bid up from a list price of $989,000. From Santa Cruz through Aptos (areas 42-49), there are only 98 homes on the market right now. 48 are listed for <$1 million, and 50 are listed for >$1 million. Based on the total sales for this area of 971 in 2015, the 98 Active listings represent only a one month inventory of homes for sale. This is the absolute lowest level of inventory seen in a very long time. In Aptos, there are only 38 Single Family Home listed as of March 21 with 13 <$1 million and 25 > $1 million. This would imply that it is a strong Seller’s Market. I just listed 222 Siesta Drive in Rolling Green estates, a 4 bed, 3 bath, 2,479-square-foot home, for $949,000. I will report back next time on how quickly it moved and at what price.
For buyers, now is still the time to make the jump into home ownership. Bankrate.com quotes 30-year fixed rates national average at 3.71 percent! And for homeowners who want to stay put, bankrate.com quotes a 15-year refi at 2.82 percent! Affordability continues to be an issue in our county. Mobile homes are increasingly one way to get more “bang for your buck.” I helped my daughter purchase a onebedroom mobile home in Santa Cruz a few years ago and her space rent and utilities are far less than what a one-bedroom rents for nowadays. There are three types of mobile home ownership: 1) rental park = you pay monthly space rent, 2) co-op where you own a share of the park and pay a monthly HOA, 3) you own the land under your home and pay an HOA). Financing and home pricing vary depending on type of park. There are only three mobile homes for sale in Aptos currently. One is in a 55+ park where you own the land below you, listed at $429,000, and two are in an allage park where you pay space rent, listed at $299,000 and $315,000. Mobile home loan rates are significantly higher than singlefamily home rates. Bay Federal is the local lender for mobile homes and current rates as of March 21 are 6.25 percent + 1.5 points for a 20-year loan on a mobile home (compared to 3.71 percent for SFR). I just returned from a trip to New York City, concrete jungle, and it only reinforced my gratitude for fresh air, greenery, ocean and my belief that as an “Aptosian,” I live in paradise!
April 2016
LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 11
Guest Columnist
Guest Columnist
Putting free salad bars in PVUSD schools
By ZACH FRIEND
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY SUPERVISOR
Over the last two years, in partnership with the Silicon Valley Leadership Group Foundation, I have been working to put free salad bars in local schools. Last year,
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we joined with the Pajaro Valley Unified School District (PVUSD) and others to add salad bars at Rio Del Mar Elementary, New Brighton Middle School in Capitola and Starlight Elementary in Watsonville. Additional schools in Santa Cruz and the San Lorenzo Valley were also chosen. These salad bars come at no public cost. This year we worked to expand this effort to more PVUSD schools. Nine additional elementary schools were selected for salad bars — funded through the Silicon Valley Leadership Group Foundation. Here is the list for this year: Amesti, Calabasas, Hall District, H.A. Hyde, Landmark, Mintie White, MacQuiddy, Ohlone and Valencia elementary schools. These schools are throughout our district from Aptos to
Watsonville. Why salad bars in schools? Salad bars in schools encourage healthy eating habits, help reduce obesity and promote overall health that makes kids better learners. A national movement is taking place to increase children’s access and consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables by donating (through private sources) salad bars to schools nationwide. School salad bars have been shown to be an effective strategy to increase kids’ fruit and vegetable consumption and help them develop healthier eating habits. New nutrition standards double the amount of fruits and vegetables served in school lunches. Salad bars not only emphasize a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables,
but are also the easiest way for schools to comply with nutrition standards. To date, the Silicon Valley Leadership Group Foundation, and has funded salad bars in 122 local schools, serving more than 97,000 students. The goal for this year is to donate salad bars to 70 more schools and help another 50,000 students have access to better nutrition. A large portion of the funding comes from the The Heart & Soles 5K — a road race in San Jose that donates the proceeds in support of salad bar school efforts. If you have have any questions about the program, feel free to reach out to me at 454-2200. As always, I appreciate hearing your thoughts and look forward to hearing from you.
Guest Columnist
Why I decided to run for Second District County Supervisor By BECKY STEINBRUNER I have lived in the hills near Aptos with my family for 31 years and very much appreciate being a Santa Cruz County citizen. I firmly believe that there are responsibilities that come with the privilege of living in this beautiful place. As such, I have taken an active role in local affairs and in my mountain community. I have volunteered countless hours with our County Service Area to maintain my neighborhood’s private road, organized trainings for my Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), worked with Soquel FireSafe Council to clear and chip brush for my community evacuation route, worked on community service events as an amateur radio operator, volunteered with County Fire, helped with countless 4-H and County Fair events and a host of other community service organizations. While I am not a polished or experienced politician, I am college-educated, inquisitive and have been told I am a “voice of reason” by former Supervisor Pirie. I care deeply about this county. I am worried by what I have learned in the past year of researching local government and being involved as a citizen. This is why I decided to run for Second District County Supervisor. About one year ago, I stood in front of Barry Swenson Builder’s bulldozer because I wanted to save the world-famous Post Office Bike Jumps for the kids. I had watched the youth of the area over many years build the jumps that provided an important healthy active place and where world-famous athletes trained. However, I did not have much factual information and was tricked into walking away. This realization spurred me to become better informed about the Aptos Village Project.
I began researching, attending meetings of the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission and Soquel Creek Water District Board. I filed Public Records Act requests to get better information ... and became increasingly concerned. What bothers me most is that so many citizens have tried to interact with local government but felt their concerns were completely dismissed. Their emails and phone calls were not answered. Understandably, those citizens feel their voices do not matter and they have given up on trying to be involved in local government. Indeed, who can attend a Board of Supervisor meeting at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays, a Planning Commission meeting at 9 a.m. on Wednesdays, or a Zoning Commission meeting at 9 a.m. on Fridays? How are we to know when the Historic Resources Commission meetings are going to be held when they are scheduled irregularly and are cancelled without public notice? How can we meet with our Supervisor when he holds no evening constituent hours? One great change that must occur in our county government is increased transparency when the public’s business is being discussed. These meetings need to be held during evening hours so that working people can participate, more than merely “getting their comments on the record” via email correspondence. I was fortunate to be able to observe a recent preliminary Budget Report explanation to the Board of Supervisors because I happened to be able to attend that meeting. There were only three people in the audience to hear that the county is operating at a $12.7 million deficit, more than double what the County Administrative Officer (CAO) had told Supervisors to expect during last June’s budget hearings. This is not good news for
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citizens. I also heard about budget deficits for the County Fire Department, Metro Transportation and the Department of Public Works. However, the CAO let the Supervisors know that she plans to ask for increased funding for retirement benefits and salaries, but no extra money for public infrastructure. Citizens need to be given the opportunity to participate in these meetings during evening hours. I think that at least half of the Board of Supervisor, Planning Commission and Zoning Administrator meetings need to be scheduled for evening hours to allow working citizens to participate. All public hearings need to be held during evening hours. Agendas with times and locations for all of the above meetings and other Commission and Special Committee meetings need to be published in local newspapers well in advance. I am also deeply concerned about local water issues and development. I support slow growth and policy that will actively help resolve the existing critical state of the local water supply. Last year, the State Water Control Board classified our area as being in critical overdraft. The Board of Soquel Creek Water District had already declared a “Groundwater State of Emergency” the year prior. Since 1980, more water has been pumped out of the Purisima Aquifer (which supplies water to areas of Santa Cruz City south to parts of northern Watsonville) than is being resupplied by the underground rivers. Last year, members of the Soquel Creek Water District Board made a presentation to the County Board of Supervisors emphasizing the need for better coordination between land use policy and water policy. They pointed out that in order
to allow the Purisima Aquifer to heal from years of chronic overdraft, their District would have to double conservation efforts while concurrently reducing pumping by 1,000 acre-feet per year (about 325 million gallons) and maintain that level of conservation and production for at least 20 years. However, despite this serious information, the County Planning Department is urging the Board of Supervisors to fast-track sweeping changes countywide that will allow developers to easily build taller, denser units with no regard to the water crisis. Supervisor Friend is whole-heartedly behind these developer-supported changes and has publicly stated he feels the sweeping changes do not go far enough. Supervisor Coonerty has asked how this can all be accomplished faster, to which Planning Director Ms. Previsich answered that unfortunately there are environmental reviews and public hearings that must be conducted. I have many other ideas for changes in the way Santa Cruz County government operates and I continue to research and study issues in our communities. I hope to discuss these with you during a series of candidate forums that I am organizing. These will be held in various locations throughout the Second District to give citizens like you the opportunity to meet all three people who are asking to represent your voice as County Supervisor. Watch for the announcements in local media, or email me to get on a notification list. I look forward to meeting you and discussing your concerns and ideas for solutions. ••• Becky Steinbruner can be reached at KI6TKB@yahoo.com.
April 2016
12 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
APRIL 2016
Wharf to Wharf registration beats record, again
Runners in the annual Wharf to Wharf race cross the Murray Street Bridge in 2015. File photo by Tarmo Hannula
By TONY NUNEZ The Wharf to Wharf course record time of 26 minutes, 42 seconds set by Lameck Aguta has stood for 23 years
but the race registration continued its yearly record-breaking trend last month. The 44th edition of the six-mile road race between Santa Cruz and Capitola sold out its 4,000 locals-only bibs
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in 33 minutes and its 8,000 general registration bibs in 11 minutes. Both times smashed last year’s record times of eight and two hours, respectively. The much-anticipated registration started at 10 a.m. on March 28 for locals and April 1 to the general public. Wharf to Wharf race director Scott McConville said he expected bibs to sell out quickly, judging from last year’s record breaking figures. “This is something that is happening around the country with races,” McConville said after the local bibs sold out in just a little over half an hour. “Once a race sells out this fast they tend to sell out faster. There’s no going back.” There will be one more opportunity for the runners to snag one of the remaining 4,000 bibs. The newly introduced random selection process begins April 5 at 10 a.m. will run for a week. Applicants can apply as an individual or group. Only one application will be accepted per person. The 4,000 entrants will be selected after the random selection process entry closes on April 12 at 10 a.m. Initially there was a $5 entry fee for the random selection but it was recently waived by Wharf to Wharf organizers.
A bib costs $40. The race dubbed the “best little road race in California” is scheduled for July 24. McConville said the addition of the random selection bib was an experiment and an attempt to make registration more accessible for people who would not be near a computer during the start of the general registration. “We just wanted to provide another chance for people to register,” McConville said. There were talks of expanding the race by another 1,000 entrants over the last few years but McConville said planned construction on Murray Street Bridge over the next two years has halted those plans. Three years down the road the race might increase from its current 16,000-person cap. Along with providing a $22,000 purse for the elite athletes from around the globe and fun for the more laid-back runners, the Wharf to Wharf also gives back to the community. Last year the race donated $309,026 to 33 organizations, according to the Wharf to Wharf website. Aptos High school track and field, football, cheer and softball programs received $15,500 last year, while Soquel High’s track and field, football and cheer program had $15,750 donated.
April 2016
LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 13
Power of Acknowledgement Workshop making its California debut By ERIK CHALHOUB APTOS — Telling the truth can be “transformative” in a relationship, but many people sometimes skirt around it, or not even acknowledge it at all, said John Orlando. “It’s wonderful to be honest about what’s going on with you,” he said. After experiencing what is known as the “Power of Acknowledgement” in the 1970s in New York City, Orlando knew he had to share his knowledge with others. “I experienced a degree of happiness that I never forgot,” he said. Orlando is teaming up with teacher Cynthia Spillman to bring the Power of Acknowledgement to California for the first time. The workshop will be held on April 30 at the Bon Repos retreat center, 925 Mesa Grande in Aptos, at the edge of the Forest of Nisene Marks.
Describing it as a “spiritual practice,” Orlando said the communication tool can be used to establish trust and mutual respect. “It’s not anything that is artificial or phony,” he said. “It’s pertinent to what’s here and now in a person’s life.” And it’s also fun, he noted. “People come out of hiding and say outrageous things that are hilarious,” Orlando said. Spillman said that by acknowledging people, even for the simplest things such as making coffee for the office, can “dissolve the illusion of separateness” and bring people together more closely. “It’s a very human fundamental need that we have,” she said. Orlando was trained by Power of Acknowledgement founder Michael J. Wyman to give the seminar in California. But when Wyman died suddenly of a heart
attack, Orlando said the process disappeared with him. A “lifelong dream” to teach the Power of Acknowledgement, Orlando said the workshop is a “fantastic social experience,” giving people ways to practice acknowledging others in a supportive environment. “Most people are never fully acknowledged in their Cynthia Spillman and John Orlando are heading up the Power lifetime, except at their of Acknowledgement workshop. Photo by Erik Chalhoub funeral,” he said. “In our process, people get fully center, 925 Mesa Grande in Aptos, at the acknowledged.” edge of the Forest of Nisene Marks. The ••• The Power of Acknowledgement cost of the workshop is $95. For information, find “The Power of Workshop will be held April 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bon Repos retreat Acknowledgement” on Facebook.
Construction soon on Rail Trail segments By ERIK CHALHOUB SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — Sections of a 32-mile trail that will connect Watsonville to Davenport will soon be constructed, with a 1.2-mile portion in South County slated to be one of the first built. The 12-foot-wide paved trail will connect Lee Road to the intersection of Walker and West Beach streets. It will travel underneath Highway 1 through the Manabe-Ow Industrial Park, connecting to the existing Watsonville Slough trail along the way. Watsonville Principal Engineer Murray
Fontes said construction is expected to begin later this year. The $2 million project is being funded by federal and state grants, as well as from donations by the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County and Ecology Action. Fontes said the goal is to eventually extend the trail to connect with Pajaro Valley High School. The Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail Network, proposed by the Regional Transportation Commission, is a 50-mile bicycle and pedestrian project, with 32 miles of it to be built within the RTCowned rail right-of-way. Cory Caletti, senior transportation planner with the RTC, said eight miles of
the trail has been funded, with about half of it to be completed by the end of 2017 and the other half by 2018. In addition to the Watsonville section, three other segments are slated for construction soon. Five miles will be built from Wilder Ranch up the coast to Panther and Yellowbank beaches, as well as 2.1 miles from the Santa Cruz Wharf to Natural Bridges Drive. In addition, a 300foot trail is slated from the Capitola City Hall parking lot to Monterey Avenue. “We feel good that we are one of them,” Fontes said. Adopted by the RTC in late 2013, Caletti said the goal is to construct the trail network in 10 to 15 years. Once complete,
it aims to provide an incentive for people to bike or walk to their destination, rather than drive. “A lot of people want to bicycle or walk, but they’re afraid,” she said. “Or they don’t have the skill set of a savvy cyclist. Trails are really the great gateway.” According to the RTC, half of the county’s population lives within one mile of the rail line, and Caletti said about 50 percent of the trips county residents make are three miles or less. “We look at bicycling or walking as the perfect option to support those kinds of trips,” she said. For information, visit www.sccrtc.org/ trail.
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April 2016
14 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
APTOS
SOQUEL
CAPITOLA
APRIL Public Meetings All meetings take place at Capitola City Hall 420 Capitola Ave.
April 4
Ongoing
April 3
Aptos Noon Toastmasters
Free Dental, Chiropractic and Vision Care Clinic
Aptos Noon Toastmasters will be held every Wednesday at 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at Rio Sands Hotel, 116 Aptos Beach Drive. A group of people at all levels of experience from beginners to more advanced to help you discover your voice and share it effectively. Everyone is welcome. For more information visit Facebook.com/ AptosNoonToastmasters or call 2361171.
Traffic and Parking Commission, 6:30 p.m
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April 5
April 22
Museum Board 5:30 p.m.
Micro-Business Summt
Soquel Creek Water District Board, 6 p.m.
April 12 Art & Cultural Commission, 6:30 p.m.
April 13 Architectural & Site Review, 3:30 p.m.
April 19
Santa Cruz County Economic Development will hold the inaugural “82% - A Micro-Business Summit” event at Cabrillo College. Tickets are $49 and include admission to all sessions, as well as a welcome bag, breakfast, lunch and an evening food and wine mixer that includes a free raffle of business-related goods and services, including a PayPal Chip Card Reader, a custom app for your business, signage services, gift cards and more. The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Drive in Aptos. For information, visit www.facebook. com/82percent.
May 6 Golf Tournament
Library Advisory Committee, 3:30 p.m. Soquel Creek Water District Board, 6 p.m.
April 27 Architectural & Site Review, 3:30 p.m
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April 27 Commission on the Environment, 6 p.m.
Soquel High is having its 12th Annual Golf Tournament and Barbecue. The event will take place at Delaveaga Golf Course, 401 Upper Park Road in Santa Cruz. Check in is at noon, shotgun start is at 1 p.m., with the barbecue starting at 5:30 p.m. Entry fee is $150 per person and includes green fees and cart, sack lunch, contest prizes and dinner. The tournament will be a four-person scramble and play is limited to 144 players. You may select your own foursome, or one will be put together for you. Visit soquel.sccs.net to register or sign up to be a sponsor.
Licensed dentists and doctors are donating their day for those who do not have insurance. First come, first served. Services include basic dental exams, fillings, extractions and cleanings. Vision screenings, prescription and limited eyeglass fittings and frames, while supplies last. Chiropractic consultations, minor adjustments, and massages. Participants may choose only one of these services. Lifestyle consultants are available and health lectures on diabetes and family Issues will be presented. No preregistration is available. The event is held at Seventh Day Adventist Church, 700 South Green Valley Road in Watsonville, and runs from 8 a.m. until spaces are full.
April 12 April Mixer
The Aptos Chamber of Commerce will hold a mixer at Café Rio, 131 Esplanade, from 5-6:30 p.m. Cost is $5 for members, $10 for non-members.
Santa Cruz County SCORE workshop
Local entrepreneurs will get answers to their start-up business questions from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Simpkins Family Swim Center, 979 17th Ave. in Santa Cruz. This SCORE workshop presents a broad overview of the topics that impact the success or failure of new and early stage business including: Startup Myths, Critical Success Factors, Structure, Marketing, Insurance, Taxes, Record Keeping, Cash Needs and Sources, Business Plans. Seating is limited, pre-registration is suggested. Cost is $35. Call 621-3735 or visit santacruzcounty.score.org/ localworkshops.
April 26
April 28
Sons in Retirement luncheon
Rancho Del Mar meeting
The Aptos Branch Sons in Retirement Luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m. at Severino’s Restaurant, 7500 Old Dominion Court. Rick Deutch will show slides and talk about the history and construction of Machu Picchu in Peru. For information, call Jim at 708-4133.
Terramar Retail Centers, the new owners of the Rancho Del Mar Center, will hold a community meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Seascape Golf Club, 610 Clubhouse Drive. To RSVP, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/4282016rsvp-rancho-del-mar-communitymeeting-tickets-24296073209.
Pint and Paint Local artist holds class over beer By BEK PHILLIPS CAPITOLA — Twice a month, a group of people gather in the upstairs of Capitola’s New Bohemia Brewing Co. to paint under the instruction of local artist Yeshe Jackson. The idea of painting parties is not altogether uncommon. Businesses use it for team building and wineries are a favorite location for artists hosting similar events. When Jackson approached the manager at New Bohemia, a pilot event was planned, and since then, all but one has been sold out. “It took off really fast,” Jackson said. “I started last summer in June, and I am here twice a month now. Every single time we are selling out, it is becoming more and more popular.” With an art degree from Humboldt State, Jackson said he has been painting since high school.
“I was always into art as a kid,” he said. “My first real painting was for class. It was a tiger in front of a sunset and I had a lot of fun with it. It really inspired me.” He began painting on his own. Today, his murals can be found in homes, breweries and stores across the county. With the start of Pint and Paint a year ago, he also began focusing on becoming self-sufficient off his art. “I was totally struggling to make art,” he said. “It was sporadic until 2015, but I support myself completely off my art now.” While he always follows the inspiration of his clients for commissioned projects, when it comes to holding class at the brewery, he said he likes to focus on nature and landmarks. “There’s so much to it, as an artist it is a feast,” Jackson said. “I want to share that Continued on next page
April 2016
LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 15
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Pint & Paint Continued from last page
REGISTER-PAJARONIAN Subscription Special (Normal price $38.25)
Yeshe Jackson prepares for his Pint and Paint class at New Bohemia Brewing Co. recently. Photo by Bek Phillips
with people.” During the event, participants come in, order beer and sit down in front of a blank canvas. As Jackson begins to paint, he pauses in between brush strokes to give instruction. The informal instruction, with tools being provided is one reason he says people might be drawn to the event. “It gets people that for the most part wouldn’t paint on their own to show up somewhere and do something creative with their evening,” Jackson said. “So many people just go home at the end of their day and watch TV.” The end result? People keep painting. “I have people come up to me and tell me they have started painting on their own after coming to my event,” he said. “It has been overwhelmingly positive.” An apron, 16-by-20-inch canvases, three brushes, eight paints and an acrylic glazing medium are all provided to the attendees, as well as three beers to drink at their own pace. “People really get loose,” Jackson said. “We are having beers and having fun and
the beer loosens you up where you might be a little nervous.” The event costs $45, but Jackson will come to your home for private paint parties as long as there are at least six people attending. The party goes on for two-and-a-half hours, with Jackson sometimes staying for three as people finish up their painting. “The experience every time for me is a whirlwind,” he said. “I just kinda go into my zone. All I’m doing is painting and describing what I am doing. I blink and it’s time to clean up.” He also says he plans to continue the paint parties long into the future. “Really I am just going to keep it going,” he said. “I feel it is good for the community and there is no reason to slow it down or stop it.” ••• For information or to schedule a private painting party, call 706-6580 or email yeshejacksonart@gmail.com.
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