Sports Page 12
Capitola Museum Page 2
APTOS
AUGUST 2016
SOQUEL
CAPITOLA EVERYTHING APTOS, CAPITOLA & SOQUEL
Vol. 5 No. 1
By John Hibble Call: 688-1467
Capitola Police Chief to step down
Visit us online:
By TARMO HANNULA
HISTORY CORNER aptoshistory.org Visit the museum:
7605-B Old Dominion Court Aptos, CA
Gimme shelter We have answers to “What is this?” Two months ago I asked you to help me find out the story behind two old structures that appear to be school bus shelters. And, guess what? They are old school bus shelters. But it is not as simple as that. When I first looked at the photographs of the two existing bus shelters they appeared to have been built from the same plans. But when I examined them more closely I saw that they are similar but a little different. That is because they were not built by a school district or a transit district but by the property owners for use by their own children and their neighbor’s children. My thanks to the many readers who responded with the answers to the puzzle. Kathleen Miller wrote, “Yes, those little shelters, which can be found all over the county, were for kids to wait in until the school bus showed up. I don’t know when it stopped being a given that all kids living more than walking distance from school took the school bus. There weren’t very many schools until the ‘70s, and bus rides were long and sometimes Please turn to Page 7
New landscaping, benches and a few new sidewalks were recently completed in Capitola. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
101 awarded Solari scholarships Graduates receive $2,500 to attend Cabrillo College
CAPITOLA — Come the end of September, Capitola will be searching for a new police chief. After taking up the post in 2012, Rudy Escalante announced that he will end his career Sept. 30. Escalante, who was named man of year in 2014 by the Capitola/Soquel Chamber of Commerce, said he felt it was time to spend more time with his son who is entering high school. “I missed out on a lot of opportunities when he was in middle school and I watched the time just sail by,” Escalante, 54, said. “I’m also a member of several boards and committees, which also take up a lot of my time. So I was not able to attend a lot of my son’s events. I thought long and hard about this.” Escalante said he and his son have just returned from a soccer trip to London and he said that time together cemented his resolution. “After 32 years in law, I talked to all the people that supported me and I just felt it was right time,” he said. Just out of high school Escalante said he started as a security guard at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in 1980. Five years later he was hired by the Santa Cruz Police Department. He worked his way up the ranks to lieutenant before switching over to Watsonville Police where he served as deputy chief for two-and-a-half years. In April 2012 Escalante was sworn is as
Neighbors battling to keep beach gated By TODD GUILD and TARMO HANNULA OPAL CLIFFS — Residents of a Pleasure Point neighborhood are still fighting to keep a fence that restricts public access to a small park and a small stretch of beach, even as the California Coastal Commission demands they remove it. Meanwhile, a lawyer for the Opal Cliffs Recreation District says the gate is permitted and in fact helps keep the park and beach safe and clean.
Mary Solari (front center) stands with this year’s scholarship winners. Photo courtesy of Cabrillo College
By TODD GUILD APTOS — A philanthropist whose three children attended Cabrillo College has made it easier for 101 more to attend that college in the fall. Mary Solari, a longtime supporter, has
donated $255,000 to the Cabrillo College Foundation, which means 101 recent high school graduates will receive a $2,500 scholarship to attend. Of the recipients, 13 attended Pajaro Valley High, nine went to Watsonville High Please turn to Page 7
Please turn to Page 6
Members of the district, which oversees access to the small, gated Pleasure Point beach, have long contended that they have a permit for the fence. They charge $100 per year for a gate, and recently began charging a $5 daily use fee. But the Coastal Commission says none of that is permitted. “They are just doing what they want to do,” said California Coastal Commission enforcement supervisor Pat Veesart. “They need a permit for the gate, the fee and Please turn to Page 7
Inside ...
Guest columns... Zach Friend
10
Croxall Capital Planning
11
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August 2016
2 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
Capitola Museum celebrates 50 years By TARMO HANNULA CAPITOLA — Balloons, hot dogs and cake were a small fraction of the celebration of 50 years of the Capitola Historical Museum on July 9. Spilling out into the parking lot were displays and early day poster photographs depicting various views of the village, coast scenes and a steamship docked at the Capitola Wharf around 1900. Adding to the color were two cars made in 1966, the year the museum opened, a Ford Mustang and a Mercedes Benz 250 S. “We’ve been working on the anniversary party plan for quite some time and I think it all came together very nicely,” said museum committee member Pam Greeninger, who owns the Mustang. “It’s a good way to show off a little bit of our history. I’m glad so many people came out today.” The museum first opened on July 9, 1966, in a storeroom behind the Chamber of Commerce at 115 Capitola Ave. Keeping to his promise of opening a museum if elected to the city council, Phillip Walker did just that and along with a team of volunteers
started what they jokingly called the “the one-room Smithsonian.” The present museum building was purchased by Walker for $25 and hauled to Capitola from Live Oak in 1967. Volunteers then painted and remodeled it to look like a schoolhouse to draw attention. The motto of the museum is “providing a future for our past.” Frank Perry, the current curator for the museum, took over the post recently from Carolyn Swift who held that title for 20 years. “We had about 200 people here for the talks by the mayor, our board president and Carolyn Swift,” Perry said. “It’s a beautiful day to celebrate our history and to thank our numerous volunteers.” Perry added that in 2015 the museum took in more than 8,000 visitors. Niels Kisling, president of the board, said he was happy with the overall event. “It makes you feel good to see this many people show up,” he said. “It’s such a good group of caring people that keep the museum going and it’s fun to share that today.”
Numerous early day photos were on display during the celebration, including this one of the Pleasure Point area taken around 1950. Photo courtesy of the Capitola Historical Museum
To the Editor,
Of the 23 historical museums and visitor centers in Santa Cruz County the Capitola Historical Museum is among the oldest. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
Village Fitness is “Fit For The Fight” against cancer CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE APTOS — Seascape Village Fitness & Physical Therapy partnered with Santa Cruz Children’s Charities and hosted their 4th Annual Fit for the Fight Fundraising
Event on June 3. This evening of fun, dancing to Extra Large, and community celebration raised more than $17,000 which will benefit those in the community fighting cancer and other childhood diseases. Half of the funds
raised will go to the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Santa Cruz and the rest is being donated to two local families with children affected by cancer.
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If you are one who questions motives and the integrity of government and/ or government officials here in Santa Cruz County, you might be interested in a meeting that will address such issues. A group of concerned citizens will meet Aug. 10 in the Louden Nelson Community Center for the purpose of discussing and listing grievances relative to the actions of government, other individuals or groups, believed to have negative or harmful impact on the community, individuals or groups of residents. The purpose of this meeting is to lay the groundwork for creating a movement to root out corruption in government and persons and organizations mentioned above. It is very difficult or virtually impossible for individuals or small groups to achieve success in such matters as the deck is pretty much stacked against them. Government can raise all the money it needs through taxation, but when members of the general public wish to register objection to the actions of government or the economic power structure (developers, etc.), they must pay a large fee or hire an attorney at great expense to do so. Being effective in such matters requires a movement composed of large numbers of people (the more the better), since there is no such thing in government as a people’s advocate to specifically look after the best interests of the general public. Citizens with concerns over water, traffic, population growth, housing or other issues with potential negative impacts on their neighborhoods are urged to attend this meeting: Aug. 10, 7 p.m., Room 5, Louden Nelson Community Center, 301 Center St., Santa Cruz. If you have any questions, call 6854797. Thomas Stumbaugh Aptos
We welcome readers to submit letters for publication. Letters should be under 400 words, and columns can be no more than 800 words. Letters and columns may be emailed to newsroom@ register-pajaronian.com, or dropped off at the RegisterPajaronian, 100 Westridge Drive, Watsonville, CA, 95076. All letters must be signed and have an address and phone number for confirmation purposes. We reserve the right to edit and condense all submissions.
August 2016
LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 3
Night at the Museum Evening event kicks off fundraising campaign By BEK PHILLIPS CAPITOLA — More than 100 children romped and capered as grown-ups played mad scientists and engineers in a special evening event put on by the Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery on July 22. With Lego tables, science experiments, oversized blocks, kit cars to build and race, glow painting and more, for two-and-ahalf hours children played while adults mingled. There was a silent auction and required donations that marked the start of their sustainability fundraising campaign. “We took on a lot,” Director and founder Patrice Keet said. “I love seeing all the new people.” But it was not just the children who were excited about the concept. When preparing for the event, board members began to come up with new and creative ways to become involved in the event. “I love that we can bring in board members to be scientists and sing and just really shop that talent,” Keet said. With approximately 100 people registered for the event, and more coming through the doors throughout the afternoon, Keet said she will be looking into holding similar events in the future. “I am really looking to doing more evening activities,” she said. Parents are also excited about the extended hours and events.
“It’s been great,” Keri Hagan said. “I like how they change the exhibits — the kids are always excited about going when there’s new stuff.” Hagan said she brings her daughter Kaitlyn, 4, and son Brandon, 6, at least once a week. For the price, she said it is a good business and she even held her daughter’s birthday party there. “For what you get in this area, it is very affordable,” Hagan said. “If there are more events like this, we will come.” Registered as a 501(c)(3), the inception for the idea came in 2012. Now they have consistent attendance and are looking forward to fall crowds. “I think that once we are not competing with the activities of summer, it will get even better,” Keet said. Typical admission costs $7 for adults and $5 for children (although it is free if the child is under 2). With annual membership options, Keet said they are also working on scholarship opportunities for low-income families. “We have been given approximately 350 family memberships through grants and donataions,” Keet said. “We are turning to the community for support.” The museum offers additional services such as parenting classes and is consistently changing exhibits and displays. “We are looking to see what worked and did work to mix things up,” Keet said. “We would love to have people come visit.”
A board member of the Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery dressed as a mad scientist and did experiments with participants at the Night at the Museum event. Photo by Bek Phillips
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!
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August 2016
4 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
BEER FESTIVAL
Two guests enjoy their sample of beer at the California Beer Festival in 2015. File photo by Bek Phillips
Beer Festival returns Staff report APTOS — From Aug. 12-14, Aptos Village Park will be hosting the California Beer Festival’s food and beer pairing competition. On Aug. 12 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. and Aug. 13 from 12:30-4:30 p.m. there will be craft beers on tap with food and live entertainment. Aug. 14’s event starts at 11 a.m. and welcomes families. Kids under 12 are free. Beer and food will be available with live music, however there will be no beer sampling. For information, visit www.californiabeerfestival.com.
CLIMATE CHANGE
DRIVING SAFETY
Churches form ‘green power teams’ to battle climate change
CHP offering traffic safety classes
Staff report
APTOS — The California Highway Patrol is offering a traffic safety program for senior drivers. The Age Well, Drive Smart Program is designed to provide drivers with the keys to driving safer and driving longer. This program is designed as an educational tool for mature drivers. Topics of discussion will include: • How to tune up driving skills. • Refreshing their knowledge of the rules of the road. • Learning about normal, age-related physical changes and how to adjust to them • When it may be time to limit or stop driving. • Understanding the alternatives to driving. Age Well, Drive Smart classes are approximately twoand-a-half hours long and are free of charge. These classes are geared toward drivers age 65 and up, but they are open to anyone who feels they can benefit from this information. The next classes will take place Thursday, Aug. 4 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 27 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. They will be held at the Aptos branch of the Santa Cruz Public Library, 7695 Soquel Drive. Space in this class is limited. For information, and to make a reservation, call the Santa Cruz CHP Office at 662-0511. In addition, the CHP is offering a traffic safety program for teenage drivers and their parents. The Start Smart Program is aimed at helping future and newly licensed teenage drivers become aware of the responsibilities that accompany the privilege of being a licensed California driver. The Start Smart program also provides teens and parents with information on defensive driving, traffic laws in California, dynamics of traffic collisions, tips on avoiding traffic collisions, and DUI awareness. Smart Start classes are free of charge. The next classes will be held Monday, Aug. 8 from 6-8 p.m. and Wednesday, Sept. 7 from 6-8 p.m. They will be held at Aptos High School, 100 Mariner Way. To reserve a spot, call the Santa Cruz CHP Office at 6620511.
Staff report
APTOS — Catholic churches throughout Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties are rallying against climate change. Green Power, a Santa Cruzbased environmental nonprofit, is teaming up with the Diocese of Monterey to form parish green power teams, create sustainable church infrastructure, and educate parishioners about Community Choice Energy. A July 17 public event at Resurrection Church in Aptos articulated global warming and present concrete action plans for the tri-county area. Community Choice Energy is a locally-controlled alternative to the utility model for counties and cities to provide electricity to their citizens. Seven states, including California, have passed laws enabling the creation of community choice programs, which serve about five percent of Americans in more than 1,300 municipalities. Monterey Bay Community Power (MBCP) is the consortium of county and city officials spearheading the creation of a Monterey region community choice program, which could begin serving up to 21 municipalities by summer 2017. An outreach partner of MBCP, Green Power is working with the diocese to educate Catholics about Community Choice. Green Power, a subsidiary of the religion-based nonprofit law and policy center the Romero Institute, will work with the 34 Catholic churches within the tricounty region to train and advise parish green power teams on steps they can take to reduce their parish’s carbon footprint. After a parish has reduced their power usage, Green Power will help guide the parish toward use of renewable energy sources like solar power. Given that nearly 32 percent of citizens living in the tri-county region are Catholic, Daniel Sheehan, president of Green Power and the Romero Institute, is hopeful that the collaboration with the diocese will substantially lower greenhouse gas emissions. The launch event for this campaign, “Caring for our Sacred Earth,” will took place July 17 at Resurrection Church in Aptos.
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August 2016
LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 5
NOVEMBER ELECTION
CABRILLO FOUNDATION
Candidate filing for November election now open
Cabrillo Foundation director announces retirement
Staff report
Staff report
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — Candidates interested in running for any of the school or special districts or city offices up for election on Nov. 8 can now file candidate papers with either the Santa Cruz County Elections Department for districts, or the appropriate City Clerks’ Office for city offices. Filing for the local offices up for election on Nov. 8 ends at 5 p.m. on Aug. 12, unless the incumbent (who is not termed out) does not file. In that case, filing will be extended until 5 p.m. on Aug. 17. A complete list of offices on the ballot are available online at www.votescount.com Interested persons can also look up their address to see which districts they reside in at electiondatalookup.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/ Offices up for election in November include boards of education, community college boards, unified/ high school district boards, elementary school district boards, fire protection district boards, water district boards, port district board, recreation district boards, other miscellaneous boards, as well as city council members in the four cities. Candidates running for Watsonville City Council must be a resident and registered voter of the city and the district for 30 days preceding the opening date for the filing of nomination papers. Candidates who file for Capitola and Scotts Valley office must be a registered voter of the city. Candidates for Santa Cruz City Council must be a qualified voter of the city for at least 30 days preceding nomination or appointment. All candidates for city office must file a Nomination Petition with 20 valid signatures in order to have their name placed on the November ballot. In addition, Declarations of Candidacy must be filed with the appropriate City Clerk’s Office. The “Candidate’s Handbook” for the November Election is available online at www.votescount.com. For information, contact the Santa Cruz County Clerk/ Elections Department at 454-2060.
APTOS — After leading the organization for 18 years, Melinda Silverstein, executive director of The Cabrillo College Foundation, announced that she will retire on Nov. 2. “Melinda has been an incredible advocate for Cabrillo College in our community and will be missed. She has built one of the most accomplished Melinda Silverstein. Contributed community college foundations in the nation and through her leadership of the Foundation, has provided millions of dollars in support to Cabrillo and our students each year,” said Laurel Jones, Cabrillo College president and superintendent. Silverstein began as executive director of the Cabrillo College Foundation in 1998. During her tenure, she has increased Foundation assets from $7 million to $29 million and facilitated the growth of the endowment from $4 million to $23 million. At the helm, she has raised more than $54 million. The Foundation provides direct support of nearly $3 million each year to Cabrillo and its students. “Melinda has been a long-time pillar of our community and has left a lasting legacy with the wonderful work she has done at the Cabrillo College Foundation. She will be greatly missed and we look forward to building upon her success,” said Stephen Snodgrass, Cabrillo College Foundation Board president. “It has been a great honor and privilege to work with our generous community to support Cabrillo and our students. I believe education is the best way we can support our society and I am proud to have been able to help so many students achieve their educational dreams,“ Silverstein said. In accordance with the Foundation’s succession plan, the Cabrillo College Foundation Board approved promoting Eileen Hill, longtime associate director, as the Foundation’s next executive director. “I am looking forward to my next adventure,” Silverstein said. “I have had the pleasure of working closely with Eileen for 18 years, so I know that I am leaving the Foundation in good hands.”
FIRE
Fire engulfs property management facility By TARMO HANNULA CAPITOLA — A quick-moving fire roared through a building at Santa Cruz Property Management Co. on July 10. Central Fire Battalion Chief Jeff Bleasher said that when he arrived at the fire at 7 p.m. the storage unit part of the single-story building, at 1240 41st Ave., was fully involved with flames. “The flames worked their way up into the attic from the storage area,” Bleasher said. “At one point we had a roof collapse. This fire spread very quickly.” Bleasher said there were no injuries and no one was in the closed facility at the time of the 6:50 p.m. blaze. “The fire is puzzling to us because of the way it accelerated so fast in a highly populated area during daylight,” Bleasher said. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. A few witnesses that called 9-1-1 told dispatchers that they saw two people running from the building when it started. Capitola Police, the California Highway Patrol and Santa Cruz County Sheriff deputies helped shut down 41st Avenue in the area and with crowd control. Central Fire was aided by Aptos/La Selva Fire and an investigator from Santa Cruz City Fire. Anyone with information is asked to call Capitola Police at 475-4242 or call the anonymous tipline at 475-2791.
August 2016
6 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
Capitola Police Chief Chief of Police in Capitola, replacing Mike Card who had worked at Capitola P.D. for 32 years. Escalante oversees 21 sworn officers and 32 personnel, a chaplain, and volunteers as well as a $5.1 million budget. Capitola Police serve approximately 9,900 residents. Having worked for the past 18 years on the board at Janus of Santa Cruz, a private nonprofit organization that treats alcoholism in a social model setting, Escalante said he plans to continue his work there. “We’ve gone from 40 employees to 150 and we have a budget of $7.8 million,” Escalante said. “It is a very effective program. There is nothing better than watching someone turn their life around and become a better person.” Santa Cruz Police Chief Kevin Vogel said Escalante will be leaving big shoes to fill. “Rudy began his career at the
Santa Cruz Police Department two years before me and quickly became a mentor and someone I admired and looked up to as a new police officer,” Vogel said. “Rudy and I grew up together at the Santa Cruz Police Department, an organization that became a second family for both of us. As chief, Rudy has demonstrated tremendous leadership for the City of Capitola, as well as the California Police Chiefs Association where he serves on the law and legislative committee.” When SCPD lost two of their officers to gunfire, Sgt. Loran “Butch” Baker and Detective Elizabeth Butler in 2013, Escalante responded with unwavering support. “It felt like Rudy had never left our organization,” Vogel said. “He was there every step of the way to support the families of our fallen friends and colleagues.”
Solari scholarships and 19 graduated from Aptos High. Watsonville High School graduate Barbara Dimas plans to study engineering. She said the money has eased her financial misgivings about seeking a post-secondary education. “Coming from a low-income family, this scholarship will help pay for my education in various ways,” she said. “As a first-generation student, I was really unsure about starting college, let alone paying for it. I feel very fortunate and appreciative for receiving these scholarships.” Solari grew up in Klamath Falls, Ore., and earned a degree in psychology from the University of
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Escalante said two of the toughest days of his career were when Baker and Butler were gunned down and when he covered a homicide in the Beach Flats. Robby Reynolds, 17, was stabbed to death in a hotel parking lot in 2009. “I recall going to his mom to notify her of his tragic death,” Escalante said. “She just broke down and screamed. Since then we have become good friends and she comes and talks in the high school ROP class I teach on criminal justice.” Escalante said he is humbled and honored by all the people he has met over the years and the people that have helped guide him in his career. “And without the support from my family I wouldn’t have made it this far,” he said. “Once I step down I’m going to try to decompress. Life is short.”
Rudy Escalante is shown in 2012 as the new Capitola Police Chief. File photo by Tarmo Hannula
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Oregon. She went on to work for NBC Radio, Radio Free Asia and Bechtel Engineering before marrying Dick Solari and raising her daughters. “It warms my heart to make a difference in these young people’s lives,” she said. “Sometimes a little help is all it takes to change someone’s life for the better. I hope this is what these scholarships will do.” The Cabrillo College Foundation was established in 1962 to raise private donations to fund scholarships, research and educational programs, faculty and departmental support, facilities, and equipment. The foundation has raised more than
$36 million over the past decade. Cabrillo College Foundation President Linda Burroughs praised Solari’s “legendary” generosity. “Thanks to Mary and our community, the Cabrillo College Foundation is able to provide scholarships to reduce or eliminate financial barriers so students can afford a quality college education,” she said. Foundation Executive Director Melinda Silverstein agreed. “Especially in these economic times, students need college scholarships more than ever,” she said. Mary Solari (front center) stands with this year’s scholarship winners. Photo courtesy of Cabrillo College
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LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 7
History Corner
Continued from page 1
unpleasant (bullies, bus breakdowns, no air conditioning), but taking the school bus was what you did. And then you walked from the school bus stop to your house, unless you lived so far out in the country up narrow roads, in which case there was often a shared kid-pickup conducted by the parents. The shelters were usually put up by the local residents. Some are still in use. Maybe if the parents let their kids use the school buses on offer, there wouldn’t be so much traffic congestion in Aptos at certain times. Yes, there was one at Larson Road.” Elaine Winkler commented, “I saw your article in the local June Life about the bus shacks around the area. I don’t know about all of them but the one at Victoria Lane was built by my uncle, Stanley Mount, for his children and his sister’s children to wait for the school bus or ‘brother Fox’ the Baptist minister to come pick us up for bible school at Aptos Baptist Church in his ‘Woody.’ It’s was quite a shock to drive up there last weekend and see that there is no trace left of the farm my aunt, uncle,
Beach
grandmother and grandfather had on that no name driveway save that run down bus shack.” According to Stanley Mount’s daughter, Cathy Rigor, it was built in 1956 and was known as the Mount bus stop. Georgia Cantando lives up the driveway from the Porter Gulch bus shelter and she asked her landlord, Jean Lawrence about it. Jean responded, “The little bus stop at the end of our driveway was built by my dad, Dr. Carl Showalter, about 1956 or ‘57. It was to shelter his children, Ted, Jane and Jean, from rainy skies while The shelter on Trout Gulch Road. Aptos they waited for the bus (Never mind that History Museum archives we had to walk to and from the bus stop in the rain!). In the case of Jane and Jean, other than the three mentioned in my first that was Bus 3, driven by Elmer Morden article and I have no information about (father of Bob Morden) whose route who built the former shelter at Larson usually took us to Oak Ridge Road, where Road and Trout Gulch. These shelters were built during a he would turn the bus around and head for Soquel Elementary. More recently, the bus simpler time. People did not expect stop has been used by someone from the government to provide as many services as today. Likewise, I doubt that building next driveway up on the left.” I have not had any feedback about any permits were obtained or even required. other home made shelters in the county These shelters were built on private
property by enterprising people with a “can-do” attitude. Sixty years ago most families did not have two cars and riding the bus to school was a given unless you lived close enough to walk or ride a bicycle. I hope that these great little structures from our past are preserved by the property owners who are lucky enough to possess them. They are increasingly rare and are showing the signs of age. I would be happy to work with their owners to develop The shelter on Porter Gulch Road. Aptos History Museum archives
some type of plaque to commemorate the importance of these shelters for the future. Thank you to everyone who has told me how much you enjoy our stories. Make sure that you tell the staff at Aptos Life and their advertisers so that we can continue to share these stories with you. Also, please consider becoming a member of the museum as that is the ultimate source of these stories. Thank you.
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the guard and they have not gotten any of them.” Veesart said that the district has applied for a coastal development permit to the Santa Cruz County Development Department for the $5 fee, but that the permit has not been approved. “The fence needs to come down,” Veesart said. The Coastal Commission set a date of June 30 to have the fence removed and said the Opal Cliffs Recreation District faced fines of more than $11,000 a day if the gate did not come down. That fee was tabled while talks were going on, but Veesart said those talks have ceased. “Penalties are on the table, so we’re going to have to discuss what our next steps will be,” he said. Veesart said a six-foot fence was approved in 1981, but that permit has since expired and has not been renewed. In addition, the district put up a nine-foot wrought-iron fence without authorization. That is not true, according to Opal Cliffs Recreation District attorney Mark Massara. Such permits don’t expire, and there is no legal precedent in which they have, Massara said. “They don’t acknowledge that they have already approved this,” he said. Soon after the commission ordered the district to remove the fence, members put up a sign stating that the decision would
“destroy” Opal Cliffs Park, and urging members to petition lawmakers. Hundreds of residents have signed a petition demanding that the commission allow the fence to remain. Neighbors deny the gate is exclusionary, and point out that anyone can buy a key to the gate at a nearby surf shop, or pay the daily $5 fee. Many say they like the gate because it gives a level of security not available at other beaches. Others claim the beach is clean and free of graffiti and leftover party trash thanks to the fence. Approximately 700 people currently purchase annual passes, Massara said. “I have never run into anyone who says, ‘this is too expensive. I want you to rip out this fence,’” Massara said. Massara described the OCRD as an all-volunteer, legally authorized special district, “whose mission is to maximize public beach access to the park and beach.” “By all accounts they are doing a marvelous job,” he said. “That beach is one of the most well-kept, safe and beautiful beaches along the coast of California.” The Coastal Commission authorized a Coastal Development Permit in 1992 allowing the fence, gate and keycard program, Massara said. Santa Cruz County approved the fence and keycard program in 2008, and the OCRD brought the issue to the California Coastal Commission for additional review as a courtesy, he said.
NON-PROFIT
A woman walks her dog past Opal Cliffs Neighborhood Beach, also known as Privates Beach in Santa Cruz. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
Commission staffers then reviewed it and recommended approval, but a hearing never occurred, Massara said. Massara said that removing the fence would remove OCRD’s only revenue stream, thus forcing the district to dissolve. That, he said, would place maintenance and upkeep costs in the lap of the county, which he said cannot afford such a responsibility. The district is already reeling from the ongoing legal battle, he said. “These trivial concerns are costing the district tens of thousands of dollars they don’t have,” he said. He also said that removing the fence
would decrease safety in the area. He pointed to Sunny Cove Beach, which he said has no gate or maintenance and has become a high-crime area. In a June 17 letter, Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart urged the California Coastal Commission to reconsider its decision, saying that removing the fence would “…facilitate increased criminal activity, parking and traffic control problems, reduce public safety in the adjacent neighborhood,” among other things. “That’s a good example of what you can expect if this goes away,” Massara said.
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8 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
August 2016
August 2016
A play of light and color
LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 9
SC County Bank introduces new exhibit By ERIK CHALHOUB SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — The “aha” moment is something that keeps printmaker Stacy Frank coming back to the monoprint process. As the print goes through the developer, Frank never knows what the final result will be. “It’s really exciting to see how the image comes out,” she said. Frank is one of four local artists who are showing in the Santa Cruz County Bank’s new exhibit, “Color & Light,” which runs through Jan. 17 at its five branches. As the name suggests, the artists’ works explore how certain colors can evoke specific emotions in a viewer. In addition to Frank, the artists showing are John Babcock, Kathleen Crocetti and Heidi Hybl. Frank, a Santa Cruz artist, said her “Stripes and Linear” series, which were created using collograph, drypoint, carborundum and ghost printing, fit the theme well. “My prints go through the press so many times, I get these very rich, dense colors, something you couldn’t reproduce by doing one run of the press,” she said. Frank graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a bachelor’s degree in scientific illustration. Later, she was exposed to her first printmaking class at Cabrillo College. Watsonville artist Crocetti is showcasing her wood “light boxes” in the exhibit, which incorporate glass, encaustic, resin and neon lighting. Babcock, the 2014 Santa Cruz County Artist of the Year and known as a pioneer of the paper art movement, uses specific papermaking fibers which reflect light differently in his works. Hybl said her paintings are abstracted
landscapes. “Colors are delicate or striking depending on the season, climate or on the time of day,” she said. “I reduce these visual, auditory and tactile experiences to light, motion and simplified form.” Curated by Mary Anne Carson, director of the Santa Cruz County Bank Arts Collaborative, “Color & Light” will hold an opening reception on Oct. 5 from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Santa Cruz branch, 720 Front St. ••• “Color & Light” is shown at the Santa “Continuous Motion 1” is an oil on museum Cruz County Bank’s five branches: 7775 board mounted on canvas painting by Heidi Soquel Drive, Aptos; 819 Bay Ave., Hybl. Capitola; 720 Front St., Santa Cruz; 595 Auto Center Drive, Watsonville; 4604 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley.
“Stripes, 78, 84” by Stacy Frank is a monoprint on panel. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
“Winter Moon” is an oil on canvas painting by Heidi Hybl, which is part of the current art exhibit showing at the Santa Cruz County Bank, 595 Auto Center Drive in Watsonville.
August 2016
10 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
Guest Columnist
Guest Columnist
A community movement to improve dental care access
By DR. SEPI WALTHARD and ZACH FRIEND A child has difficulty paying attention in class, avoids raising her hand to share and is absent from school often. A veteran is unable to eat or sleep and has missed a job interview. A senior citizen is losing weight because she cannot maintain proper nutrition. What do these seemingly different people have in common? They suffer from untreated dental disease. Dental care access might not sound like a major crisis, but the poor oral health within our community can have serious consequences. Dental disease can impact a person’s ability to speak, chew or socialize. The resulting pain and complications can affect whether someone is able to hold a job or attend school. In a study where welfare recipients with severe dental problems received oral healthcare, those who completed their dental treatment were twice as likely to get
jobs or move off of welfare as those who didn’t finish treatment. In addition, evidence has shown a link between oral disease and diabetes, adverse birth outcomes, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, stroke and more. Because many diseases can be caught early by looking at oral health conditions, dental care is crucial to the health of our residents. Dientes Community Dental Care commissioned an oral health needs assessment to get a picture of oral health in Santa Cruz County that offered some pretty alarming results. Of the approximately 80,000 Santa Cruz County residents expected to be enrolled in MediCal this year, only 25,000 were able to visit a dentist in 2014. About 30 percent of children in Santa Cruz under the age of 11 have never visited a dentist and nearly onequarter of all pre-K children in Santa Cruz County have untreated dental decay. In reality, we have a problem that is even larger than those numbers show. People without any insurance, which includes working families who are undocumented or don’t qualify for subsidized programs have not been accounted for. Furthermore, Medicare does not meet seniors’ dental needs, and seniors make up the fastest growing demographic in our community. Additionally, there are likely tens of thousands more community members who are not receiving the dental care they need. The tremendous lack of dental care access and education in the underserved populations of Santa Cruz must be addressed. We are enthusiastic about chairing the Oral Health Access Santa Cruz County steering committee to take
rethinking
action on the status of Santa Cruz County’s oral health. Through collaboration and education, this committee has the ability to create real change. The 17-member steering committee joins together local healthcare industry experts, community leaders and education advocates. The committee is working together to develop recommendations that will improve our community’s oral health through dynamic community involvement. For information and to follow the actions of the Oral Health Access committee,
please visit oralhealthscc.org. Comments and ideas from the public are welcome and can be submitted via the website by clicking on the contact tab. Even if you are not a dentist, you can help solve the dental care and oral health challenges of Santa Cruz County. ••• Dr. Sepi Walthard is Dientes’ Dental Director and Zach Friend is a member of the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors.
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August 2016
LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 11
Chambers gather together Cinelux Capitola Café & Lounge was home to a multi-chamber mixer on July 20. The mixer also served as a grand re-opening for the theater. A recent expansion included eight theaters and a new café. Cinelux Capitola is located in the Kings Plaza Shopping Center at 1475 41st Ave. in Capitola. Photo by Mark Pezzini
Guest Columnist
Guest Columnist
Thinking about divorce? However, if your financial situation is especially complex or you haven’t ever been involved in your family’s finances, consider adding a qualified financial professional to your team as well. They can help review various pros and cons of splitting certain assets as well as help you map out a plan for you living on your own.
By GARY E. CROXALL, CFP® and SOREN E. CROXALL, CFP® Thinking about getting divorced? Get prepared and organized. Even the most amicable divorces are still going to require a lot of paperwork and communication. However, if you are considering a divorce and think it might be contentious, start preparing sooner rather than later. It’s important to be prepared rather than entering into a divorce completely blind. Below are some steps you may consider. Surround yourself with a good team The first thing most people do when they are contemplating a divorce is to go speak with a family law attorney. That’s a good start. You should understand your rights and what you might be entitled to.
Start gathering documents Start gathering and making copies of everything you can get your hands on. This can include investment records, banking records, credit card statements, loan documents, insurance policies, real estate deeds, estate planning documents, tax returns, etc. Try and gather several years’ worth of financial records. Look for any anomalies in them. Sometimes a spouse may not be communicating about all of the transactions to the other spouse. Keep copies of everything in a safe place like a safe deposit box. Don’t forget to also document household items around the house. Take pictures of art work, jewelry, antiques or any other items that may be of value. Check your credit report Get a copy of your most recent credit report and review it closely. Look for any
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accounts you don’t recognize. Understand what debts you and your spouse have and what you may be responsible for after the divorce is final. Also, if you have no account solely in your name, consider opening a credit card in your name only to begin to establish credit. Make sure you don’t max out the credit card and be sure to pay it off in its entirety every month. Understand health insurance options If you have always been covered under your spouse’s health insurance plan, understand your options post-divorce. This is often an overlooked expense that can really add up. Again, consider working with a qualified financial professional that can help you create a budget and review your overall cash flow situation. Update important documents Once your divorce is final, make sure you update all beneficiary designations on retirement plans and insurance policies as well as any estate planning documents to make sure they are still in line with your current wishes. This is an often overlooked item. There is no question about it, change can be stressful, and a divorce is a major and very emotional change. Make
sure you understand financially what your situation is and what you may be entitled to. Making emotional financial or investment decisions without collecting and understanding the facts can potentially be very costly during a very difficult time. 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.
August 2016
12 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
AUGUST 2016
No experience, no problem Mwangi sprints to finish; Gesabwa defends women’s championship By TONY NUNEZ CAPITOLA — Inexperience did not hold back Isaac Mukundi Mwangi from winning the 44th running of the Wharf to Wharf race. It just made the finish a little closer than he would’ve liked. A newcomer to the six-mile road race from Santa Cruz to Capitola, Mwangi followed the lead pack’s pace and stunned former champion Silas Kipruto with a furious final kick to win the overall championship with a time of 27 minutes, 31 seconds. “I wasn’t familiar with the course,” Mwangi said. “I had to stick with that group. That was my only option to win the race.” Unfamiliar with the course, but not with winning. Mwangi, a 29-year-old from Kenya, also won the 105th annual Bay to Breakers 12-kilometer race in San Francisco in May and the 27th annual Crazy 8s 8-K race in Tennessee just a few weeks prior. He said he used the confidence boost to claim the top spot in the “best little road race in California.” “Winning a big race like that in the U.S., it gives you some motivation,” Mwangi said. “It gives you that knowledge, that belief, that you can do better than that.”
On July 24, Mwangi sported a big grin as he cut through the finish line with his hands raised after edging fellow Kenyan Kipruto, the 2011 champion, by less than a second. Teshome Mekonen was third with a time of 27:40 and John Muritu was fourth at 27:47. All four took home some cash. First place won $4,000, second got $3,000, third received $2,000 and fourth walked away with $1,000. Patrick Smyth also won $1,000 as the top American finisher. He took fifth (27:49) overall. “I felt really good and I was happy with where I am,” said Smyth, who was also the top American finisher at Crazy 8s 8-K. Just four minutes, later Kenyan Risper Gesabwa joined three others as a threetime female champion by racing down the final hill into the Capitola Village with a time of 31:34. She beat Monicah Ngige (31:40) and Gladys Kipsoi (31:56) to defend her title. “It’s not easy to defend a championship,” Gesabwa said. “This year they had competitive runners… but they didn’t defeat me. I defeated them.” Gesabwa also won $4,000, while Ngige and Kipsoi won $3,000 and $2,000, respectively. Sacramento native Alycia Cridebring doubled up on her earnings by taking
fourth overall and crossing the line as the top American. She won $2,000, while also setting a new personal best (32:17). “I felt a lot more comfortable last year,” said Cridebring, who took third in 2015 and was also the top American. “I think I didn’t quite push as much because I had never run the race before and I wanted to be a little more cautious. This year, knowing where all my mile markers were and the hills, I was a little more confident about when to push and when to make moves.” Running the race for the fifth time this year, Gesabwa also knew when to take off. The champion in 2012 and 2015 said the front pack of women runners was neckand-neck until the final hill. She pushed the pace on the final mile and took off on an all-out sprint during the final 200 meters to pull away. “I know the course, I know tactics I can use to win,” Gesabwa said. Mwangi had to depend on his fitness and the rest of the field for the win. Helping the eventual champion was a steady 4:40-mile pace through the two miles, which wrapped around the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, over the San Lorenzo Valley River, up East Cliff Drive and down Murray Street. The paced picked up to the 4:30 range in the fourth and fifth miles as the lead pack of runners dwindled down from 12 to five and then three: Kipruto, Mwangi and
Mekonen. But the final 100 meters was all Kipruto and Mwangi. Mwangi said he had some of his friends who were also running in the race describe the course in the days leading up Sunday. He said he played a guessing game by looking at his watch and basing his splits off the prior champions. When that failed, he held on to whoever was in first. “It was in my mind, in my imagination, but not in reality,” Mwangi joked. “Now that I’m familiar with it I’m willing to come back again.” Mwangi also said the cool overcast weather, which did not eclipse 55 degrees during the race, also helped him throughout. “I felt like I was back in Kenya,” said Mwangi, who now trains in Texas. “I had that energy to do what I’m used to doing.” Watsonville produced the top male and female local finishers. Official results showed Justin Carrancho was the top local male (30:50) and Amy Schnittger was the top local female (33:42) for the second time. Carrancho is a Watsonville High alumnus who will run for the powerhouse University of Alaska Anchorage cross country program in the fall, while Schnittger graduated from Aptos High and was a star runner for Chico State.
August 2016
LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 13
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14 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
Bike jumps celebrated Bicyclists shoot over a series of dirt mounds July 16 at Polo Grounds Park in Aptos where a ribbon cutting ceremony, staged by the Aptos Chamber of Commerce, was held to celebrate an expansion of the bike jump park. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
August 2016
This bicyclist makes flying over a dirt jump look easy. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
August 2016
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August 2016
16 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
A war, independence and a birthday
World’s Shortest Parade honorees Grand Prize — Best of Parade: Aptos High School Grand Prize: Knox Roofing Crowd Pleaser: Monterey Bay Training Club Ole’ Time Favorite: Watsonville Community Band
Adult Groups
Aptos parade draws thousands By BEK PHILLIPS APTOS — Approximately 20,000 people gathered for the World’s Shortest Parade sporting bright colors of red-whiteand-blue and cheering for their favorite floats, animals and characters. With 132 entries in this year’s parade, it was hailed successful. This year marked the 55th event for the parade that made the Guinness World Records. Everywhere children had their favorite attraction, whether it be the tumblers or the lumbering Tyrannosaurus rex on a leash. “We have been here, like, 30 minutes,” Joliette Guerrero, 10, said as she watched over her brothers Joseph, 4, and Carlos, 7. Reciting what each were excited to see, she exuberantly announced “I like the parade,” followed by a sigh and a smile. “I am excited for the gymnasts,” Joliette said. “I used to practice and I want to see if I can learn more things by watching.” But as children waited anxiously for the fun to start, not all of them remembered exactly why they were celebrating. “It’s to help our country,” Charlotte Groves, 6, said before following up with a PSA on garbage. “We have to help by picking up trash.”
Participating in the parade was one group for whom the day was particularly special. Men who had served across all branches of the Armed Forces gathered on one float and sat proud in salute as they were cheered exuberantly on. “Today is about freedom, togetherness,” veteran Mario Padilla said. Nicholas Slay, who served in the Coast Guard and the Navy, said the float and car was driven from Los Angeles for the event. “All this here — it’s a representation of family and the service,” Slay said. “It’s nice to have events like this to honor them.” With current policies changing that would require women to register for the draft, one veteran was somber in recollecting what that means. “War is hell,” he said. “We were all drafted back then. It’s been almost 50 years, and now they are having women register.” There was one 6-year-old who knew why he was there. Waving his flag in matching uniform with his brother, Jacob Kissinger hustled to collect the candy handed out in between floats. Stuttering in his effort to answer quickly, he studiously recited: “We are celebrating because it’s America’s birthday. Because of its independence and there was a war and we won.”
Ruth Cuzick of the Daughters of the American Revolution prepares to join the parade. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
First Prize: Rudy & Jeff’s 50th Anniversary Judges’ Choice: Begonia Festival Most Patriotic: American Legion Unit C-2 Most Unique: RDMIA
Bands First Prize: Samson/Sam Nigh Judges’ Choice: Trout Gulch Marching Band Most Colorful: Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz
Cars First Prize: Tom Martindale Most Patriotic: Malcolm Park Most Unique: David Bennet
Children Groups Cash the dog came to the parade in a patriotic hat. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
First Prize: Aptos 4-H Judges’ Choice: Pacific Arts Complex Most Patriotic: Jacob’s Heart Most Unique: Kristy’s School of Dance
Floats Judges’ Choice: Vacation Bible School Most Original: Cafe Rio/Flats Bistro Best of Theme: Boy Scout Troop 633
Individual First Prize: Steve Fairhurst Second Prize: Frank Cousins A Tyrannosaurus rex breaks loose from his owner and lunges toward the crowd. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
Pets Best Costumes: Pleasant Valley Horse Club Cutest: Myrtle the Turtle First Prize: West Coast Great Pyrenees Judges’ Choice: Sally Sharpe
Trucks First Prize: Christ Lutheran Church/Habitat for Humanity Most Patriotic: Second Harvest Food Bank Most Unique: Milazzo Family
Schools Most Spirited: PVUSD Best of Theme: Bradley Elementary
About 20,000 people crowd the streets of Aptos for the parade. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
The Ukelele Club of Santa Cruz treats the crowd to a string of upbeat tunes. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
This girl enjoys waving her flags while riding in a convertible car. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
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APTOS
SOQUEL
CAPITOLA
AUGUST Ongoing
Aug. 6
Aug. 7, 21
Aptos Noon Toastmasters
Flea Market and Faire
Art and Music in the Village
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 236-1171.
The 11th annual Elegant Treasures and Everyday Bargains Flea Market & Faire is being held by the Inner Light Ministries from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free, with food, merchandise and activities for kids. The event will be held at Inner Light Center, 5630 Soquel Drive.
SOQUEL
CAPITOLA
California Beer Festival
Aptos Village will be hosting the California Beer Festival’s food and beer pairing competition. For information, visit www. californiabeerfestival.com.
Capitola Village is hosting local artwork and musicians of jazz music. The event starts at 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Esplanade Park.
Public Meetings Aug. 23
Driver safety luncheon
APTOS
Aug. 12-14
CHP Officer Trista Drake will be speaking at the Aptos Sons in Retirement luncheon starting at 11:30 a.m., discussing driving safer and longer. The luncheon will be held at Severino’s Restaurant inside the Seacliff Inn at 7500 Old Dominion Court. The lunch will include raviolis and Caesar salad. For information, call Jim at 708-4133.
All meetings take place at Capitola City Hall 420 Capitola Ave. Aug. 1
Museum Board, 5:30 p.m.
Aug. 4
Planning Commision, 7 p.m.
Aug. 9
Library Advisory Committee, 3:30 p.m. Art and Cultural Commission, 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 10
Architectural and Review, 3:30 p.m.
Aug. 11
City Council, 6 p.m.
Aug. 17
City Council, 6 p.m.
Site
Aug. 24
Architectural and Review, 3:30 p.m.
Aug. 25
City Council, 7 p.m.
Site
August 2016
LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 19
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Japanese American league picnic highlights shared history, culture By CATHY KELLY APTOS — The Watsonville-Santa Cruz Japanese American Citizens League – one of the largest JACL chapters in the country — held its annual community picnic June 25 at Aptos Village Park in a tradition started more than 100 years ago. The first picnics in the early 1900s were held at Palm Beach and were an expression of gratitude for a good harvest and a good life in the United States, said chapter President Marcia Hashimoto of Watsonville. This year’s event included children’s races, games, a Watsonville Taiko performance, a barbecue lunch, ice cream social, raffle and more. Scholarships were also awarded to graduating seniors Samantha Sakai of Watsonville and Isaac Veal of Royal Oaks. “It’s wonderful; it’s been a great day,” said Andrea Sullivan of Watsonville, Sakai’s mother, who came to the picnic for the first time. “They had some really fun games for the kids and the Taiko drummers were amazing. Everyone has been really welcoming.” JACL membership is not limited to “Nikkei,” emigrants of Japanese ancestry,
said Mas Hashimoto, a board member he got involved in the group through with the Council on American Islamic and well-known retired Watsonville High Westview Presbyterian Church. Relations and others. teacher. But members must believe in civil “It’s interesting to see a different culture “No one should go to prison based on rights and social justice, he said. that I wouldn’t normally see,” he said. “I how they look or how they dress,” he said. That issue is close to Hashimoto’s heart, have noticed how respectful and humble “That should never happen again.” as he and his family were interned for four they are.” For information, visit www. years during World War II, starting when Mas Hashimoto said the JACL has been watsonvillesantacruzjacl.org or email wsc. he was a 6-year-old boy. On June 25, a working against Islamophobia and last jacl@gmail.com. display at the picnic showed stats and month held a forum at Cabrillo College photos from that painful time. Those days seemed thankfully far removed on a sunny day at the park, with friends of all ages obviously enjoying themselves. Gail Wurtenberg of Watsonville has been part of the group since she was a child. On June 25, she brought her grandchildren, 6-year-old Sasha and 4-year-old Elyse. “For me, it’s mostly a family thing,” Wurtenberg said. “I enjoy watching my granddaughters. They were a little shy at first and then they wanted to go in every race.” The girls will be going to Japanese Cultural School starting this week, an annual JACL summer camp held at Watsonville Buddhist Temple that teaches children about Japanese cooking, art, Yaeko Sakamoto enjoys watching a game of jan ken pon (rock, paper, scissors) at the Japanese language and other cultural traditions. Veal, the scholarship recipient, said American Citizens League annual community picnic at Aptos Village Park. With Sakamoto was her husband, Sam, who served in the Army during World War II. Photo by Cathy Kelly
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The Sleep Latex 6 Firmnesses to Choose From • LATEX BEDS Help with • No Body Motion Transfer • Compared to Premium Spring Mattress the following problems • No Out Gassing • More Comfort • No Pressure Point • Pure Pleasure and • Cost Less • No Body Heat Retention Comfort
Many Adjustable Beds are Purchased for: CUSTOM SIZE MATTRESSES | FUTONS BEDROOM FURNITURE | BUNK BEDS BASSETT FURNITURE | METAL BEDS UNIVERSAL FURNITURE Serving Santa Cruz for 25 Years Open 7 days
• Reading/Watching TV in Bed • Working on a Laptop in Bed • Pregnancy and Nursing • Back Conditions
• Breathing Issues • Acid Reflux • Arthritis • Heart & Circulatory Improvement • Stress & Tension Relief • Pure Comfort
“Chiropractic Approved” “9 Styles”
• Pocketed Coil Edge Supports • Innerspring Unit • No Motion Transfer • Foam-Encased • Comfort Layers
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Extraordinary Furniture by
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Pillows. Sheets. “Bamboo” French Linen, Italian Collection Egyptian Cotton Protective Covers