Aptos Life August 2021 by Weeklys

AUGUST 2021 • VOL. 8, NO. 24

Wildfire Warning Central Fire, Cal Fire urge community prevention efforts as threat intensifies BY JOHANNA MILLER

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AUGUST 2021 • VOL. 8, NO. 24

Wildfire Warning Central Fire, Cal Fire urge community prevention efforts as threat intensifies BY JOHANNA MILLER

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AUGUST 2021 | APTOS LIFE

s if we didn’t all have enough to worry about, the anxiety around fire season is more intense this year than it has been in a long time—maybe ever. Each time I hear another forecast for dry lightning (a phenomenon I didn’t even know existed until it hit Northern California last year, sparking the CZU Complex Fire here, as well as other devastating wildfires around the region), I think, “Is this going to start the next big one?” Considering our global turn toward extreme weather, this is not a great way to live; the most recent forecast for dry lightning came less than a month ago. Thankfully, it amounted to nothing. But it’s been a full year this month since the CZU started, and reading Johanna Miller’s cover story in this issue, you’ll quickly understand that the outlook of local fire officials here in Aptos and beyond hasn’t exactly improved in the intervening 12 months. It’s either gotten worse or “more realistic,” depending on your point of view. That aspect of this Aptos Life may not ease your concern; however, I’m of the mind that it’s really the feeling of waiting helplessly that drives us nuts—sometimes we assume that there’s nothing we can do. But, it turns out, there is! Both Miller’s story and Zach Friend’s column this month address specific steps we can take as individuals and as a community to protect ourselves. And to me, that’s huge. The photo on the cover of this issue is of a CalFire firefighter doing a prescribed burn to combat last year’s blazes, and it’s a reminder that even for the professionals, the most important tools are often preventative. Let’s do everything we can to help them out. STEVE PALOPOLI Editor

4 4

Cover Story

History Corner

Word from a Friend

Financial Advice

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Dan Pulcrano Vice President

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Steve Palopoli Contributing writers

John Hibble Zach Friend Johanna Miller Soren E. Croxall Photography

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Aptos Life is published monthly. All rights reserved, material may not be reprinted without written consent from the publisher. Aptos Life made every effort to maintain the accuracy of information presented in this publication, but assumes no responsibility for errors, changes or omissions. Aptos Life is a division of the Pajaronian. Publishing in Santa Cruz County since 1868.

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The plays in our 2021 season explore the enormous impact an individual can have on history. Witness the political intrigue of RII and the passionate struggles of The Agitators. You will want a front row seat as we joyfully regather in The Grove. —Mike Ryan, Artistic Director

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Both firefighters and the community are on edge as fire season dangers intensify—but there are ways to prepare

AUGUST 2021 | APTOS LIFE

T 4

he worst of California’s wildfire season typically peaks in midsummer or early fall. By then, rain-soaked earth has dried out completely, leaving plenty of fuel for fires to spark and spread. But this past rainy season resulted in less than half the usual amount of precipitation for the state. Two years of drought is causing the local landscape to dry up sooner, resulting in fires beginning much earlier in the year. “I hate to use the word ‘worry,’ but it’s definitely a concern,” says Cal Fire CZU Deputy Chief Nate Armstrong. “We typically wouldn’t

see troublesome fires until around September or October. But right now, the moisture is so low. Things are starting up already.” Armstrong says Cal Fire is doing what it can to prepare for a busy season. While prediction is challenging, they are using longrange weather forecasts to plan ahead, and partnering with agencies such as the California Conservation Corps and the California Department of Corrections to bring in more aid. “California is a big state— we’d like to have twice as many firefighters on hand,” he says. “Unfortunately that’s not the case.” According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire

Protection, 2020 was the largest wildfire season recorded in the state’s modern history. The CZU Lightning Complex Fires alone burned more than 86,500 acres and destroyed 7,000 structures in the Santa Cruz Mountains. “Last year was a big eyeopener for this county,” Armstrong says. “It got people thinking about the long-term.” Mike DeMars, Fire Marshal for the Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County, says they have brought on four additional part-time employees to conduct more inspections and surveys at properties that are vulnerable to wildfire.

He says that since last year’s fires, the department now gets continuous calls—at least one per day—from residents who are concerned for their home or one of their neighbor’s. “People are more invested now,” DeMars says. “They saw what it did to other people’s lives last year. They’re worried.” Every year, Cal Fire works on making the land less susceptible to such intense blazes through prescribed burns, clearing dense areas of forest and, of course, public education. Ready For Wildfire (readyforwildfire.org) is a Cal Fire website offering ➝ 10

Tarmo Hannula

LESSONS LEARNED A firefighter battles the CZU Complex Fire a year ago. Fire officials call the devastation in 2020 ‘an eye-opener’ and are trying to prepare for what this summer and fall could bring.

TEA TIMES It’s not hard to see why Watsonville residents referred to the construction locomotive Betsy Jane as a “tea kettle.”

The Railroad, Part 2 [This is part two of a threepart series. Part three runs next month. — Editor]

MONTH 2021 | AUGUST 2021

ith financing and approvals in place, it was time to begin construction of the railroad. In October 1874, the Betsy Jane, a tiny construction locomotive, arrived. It was designed in Santa Cruz and built in San Francisco. Betsy Jane was the work engine used to build the railroad. After the Santa Cruz Railroad was completed and the full-sized passenger and freight engines arrived, the Betsy Jane went to work for a lumber company. The people in Watsonville referred to her as a “Tea Kettle.” Four miles of used rail were purchased in San Francisco and spiked down while awaiting the arrival of new rail from the east coast.The ship carrying the rail sunk off Bolivia and the ship

Meanwhile, Claus Spreckels was carrying the second load of rail also building a first-class hotel caught fire off Bolivia, delaying in Aptos overlooking the bay. construction by eight months. On May 22, 1875, fifty-cent More expensive replacement rail excursion service began on the was ordered from San Francisco. weekends between Santa Cruz and On December 7, 1874, the first Aptos. The Grand Opening five miles of Santa Cruz reception was held for the Railroad track were Aptos Hotel built by Claus completed, and Hihn Spreckels. Spreckels Drive asked the county for was the private entrance payment. One week later, road. The event included a Watsonville attorneys ball attended by Governor secured an injunction Romualdo Pacheco and to stop payment of celebrated the formal county funds because the line was not going By John Hibble opening of the Santa Cruz Narrow Gauge Railroad to to pass through the Aptos History Museum Aptos. (Pacheco remains city of Watsonville. the only Latino governor in The Watsonville City the state’s history as part of Council had voted against giving the U.S. He was also the state’s first the railroad a street franchise governor to be born in California.) through town to the Pajaro Everyone who was anyone was River. As a result, the railroad at the event. The happy revelers had decided the final alignment literally danced all night, till of the right-of-way into Pajaro broad daylight, the party not would be about a half-mile west breaking up until half-past 4am. of Watsonville. Construction Work progressed on the line continued, eventually with an toward Pajaro, but a disastrous infusion of cash from Spreckels.

winter slowed progress. By Mar 1876, Hihn and Spreckels had agreed to adjust the route into Watsonville and the injunction was lifted. In April 1876, Santa Cruz Rail Road’s Watsonville- Santa Cruz line was completed, and the Betsy Jane locomotive delivered the first revenue load, two carloads of potatoes! Finally, on May 7, 1876 the long-awaited day had come. For the first time in the history of Santa Cruz County, a passenger train was about to run from Pajaro via Watsonville, Aptos, and Camp Capitola to Santa Cruz. The Pacific, a brand-new narrow gauge 4-4-0 Baldwin steam engine had just been delivered to the S.C.R.R. at Pajaro. It was hooked up to the railroad's first coach, "the Teresa” (named after F.A. Hihn’s wife), and was waiting to take passengers to Aptos to meet the train from Santa Cruz. The Druids had scheduled their annual picnic at Aptos to fall on this historic day. Not only was Santa Cruz County celebrating the coming of the railroad, but also the nation’s centennial. In Santa Cruz, over 200 people were awaiting the departure of the first of two trains that would take them to Aptos. The Betsy Jane was pulling five colorful makeshift cars, all decorated in red, white, and blue ribbons and banners, with an abundance of flowers and flags. At 9:30am, the Betsy Jane approached Aptos at the breakneck speed of 15 miles per hour. By 11:30am, the Betsy Jane had completed its second trip to Aptos. Around noon, someone shouted, "I heard a whistle!” Distant thunder began to fill the warm afternoon air. This was it— the occasion that everyone had come to cellebrate. Bill Holser, fireman, made a mad dash for the Betsy Jane. He grabbed the whistle cord and commenced to blow long, continuous blasts. In return, the same long continuous blasts were heard in the distance. Soon, all of the people ➝ 10

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ith our extremely home. Defensible space is the buffer dry winter comes you create between your home or the increased risk business and the vegetation that of a serious fire surrounds them to prevent these season. structures from catching fire. The defensible space There are some things that can reduce risk to both your you can do to help protect home (from fire directly your home or business from or radiant heat associated a wildfire or a structure with fire), as well as to fire. Recently, our office firefighters using the space co-hosted a community to defend your property. preparedness meeting with representatives from the County’s new Office Creating a of Response, Recovery By Zach Friend Defensible and Resilience (OR3) Santa Cruz County Space and County/Cal Fire to Supervisor discuss ways to keep your California state law requires home safe. Here are some that you maintain 100 feet general tips to get started. of defensible space around your home One of the first things is to and other buildings on your property. ensure that you have a home This is a minimum recommended emergency plan (and evacuation amount and should be increased if plan) and practice it with your your home is on a steep slope. You can family. All homes should have create a defensible space by ensuring working smoke and carbon that trees are the furthest from your monoxide alarms and at least home and that elements that are one ABC rated fire extinguisher less likely to burn (or burn at lower in your home. You can sign up temperatures) such as lawns and for emergency notices, such as small plants are closer to the home. Code Red at www.scr911.org to For the first 30 feet from learn about possible evacuations all buildings, decks and or changes in conditions. structures you should: Ensuring that the Fire • remove or mow all dead Department can respond quickly plants, grass, or weeds; also means having visible address • create paved or gravel driveways, numbers on the outside of your home walkways, patios as firebreaks; and business (and, if you have a • remove dead or dry leaves sidewalk, along the curb). All homes and needles from yard, should be kept clear of combustible roof, and gutters; debris such as cardboard boxes, • trim trees regularly and rags, paper products, and flammable maintain a minimum of liquids; fireplaces and wood 10’ between canopies; stoves should be maintained, • remove branches that overhang cleaned and inspected annually. your roof and any dead branches close to a chimney; The topography of Santa Cruz • remove flammable items County, and location of homes near any structure. within the rural areas, means For the next 70+ feet from that it’s imperative to create a ➝8 your home (extending defensible space around your

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t’s August, which means Making them save for something as that summer is ending and a goal will teach them the concept it’s time for kids to go back of delayed gratification. If they to school. Now may be a really want the video game, they will good time to talk with your be motivated to continue to save kids about basic money concepts so until they’ve reached their goal. that they can learn to make smart As kids become middle school financial decisions (and age, you could start maybe avoid some of the discussing more advanced same financial mistakes concepts like credit. By you made growing up). middle school, your kids Starting conversations should be able track their surrounding money with income from various younger kids will require sources (i.e. allowance, some tact and “knowing gifts, odd jobs, etc.) and be your audience.” You can able to budget for various start with very basic expenses they may look concepts like where to incur. Also, by middle Soren E. Croxall school and high school, money comes from, that Financial Advice your money conversations everything has a price, and that you need to save could include personal for things and live within stories of money mistakes your means. You could even tie in you made in the past and how you basic math problems as examples. overcame them. For example, did An example could be, “Sally would you max out your first credit card like to buy a toy that costs $40. Her and then struggle to pay back the allowance is $10/week. How many balance plus interest? If so, this weeks will Sally need to save before would be a teachable moment on she can buy the toy?” Here, not how to use credit cards wisely. only are we teaching math skills, When your child starts earning but we are also touching on the income from a summer job, consider concept of saving for a purchase. having discussions around saving for As children get older, you could the long term by potentially looking open a basic savings account for to invest some of that money. them at the bank. From there, you Explain to kids that investing take could discuss how to track deposits patience, but compounding interest into the account and expenditures is very powerful for those who invest out of the account. This would also for the long term. One idea you be a good time to discuss budgeting. may want to consider is opening Concepts like income and expenses a custodial Roth IRA account for should no longer be foreign words your minor child (your child must to kids. Also, explain the difference be younger than 18 years old). between a want and a need. Your There a few caveats to consider. The kid may want the latest video game, biggest one is that your child must but they probably don’t need it. have earned income to be eligible to

WORD FROM A FRIEND

to at least 100 feet from your home) you should: • cut or mow annual grass down to a maximum height of 4” • maintain 10 ft clearance around woodpiles • thin trees and shrubs and leave big gaps between plants

• remove dead or dry leaves, needles, twigs, bark, cones, and branches from ground. The Central Fire Protection District website https://www. centralfiresc.org contains preparedness information on defensible space, general fire prevention and even the power

SAVINGS PLAN It’s not too soon to instill good financial habits in your child. contribute to a custodial Roth IRA (allowances, gifts, and investment income don’t count). However, if your child works at a summer job, then they likely have earned income. Speak with your tax person regarding potential eligibility if your child does odd jobs and earns selfemployment income, which is not as clear cut as earning income through an official employer. Contributions rules to custodial Roth IRAs are the same as regular Roth IRAs. A Roth IRA has several benefits for your child. While the contributions are made with aftertax money, qualified withdrawals in the future are potentially taxfree. Also, Roths offer flexibility in that contributions (not earnings) can be withdrawn at any time without penalty. Lastly, you and your child can work together to decide how to invest within the account and learn about different types of investments.

Without a doubt, having a talk about money to younger children can be challenging. But passing on to them some solid financial basics and some of the things you have experienced (both positive and negative) can be of great value to them, whether they realize it now or not. Starting young—when, as Warren Buffet sometimes says, they “have a long runway”—is a great gift.

shutoffs that have occurred. Fire Safe Santa Cruz County also maintains a comprehensive site with downloadable fact sheets and videos on how to prepare your home or business: www. firesafesantacruz.org. Lastly, the County’s OR3 website has a resources link with a lot of valuable

information: https://www. co.santa-cruz.ca.us/OR3.aspx. As always, I appreciate any feedback you may have on this or any other county issue. I’m maintaining regular updates on social media at www.facebook. com/supervisorfriend, and you can always call me at 454-2200.

Soren Croxall, CFA, CFP® is a registered representative of LPL Financial Securities and Advisory Services offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Advisor. LPL Financial and Croxall Capital Planning do not provide tax or legal advice. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

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information on how to keep homes and properties safe from the threat of wildfire, and how to prepare in case of evacuation. For instance, it recommends creating and maintaining “defensible space;” that is, a buffer between a building and any grass, trees, shrubs, or wildland areas surrounding it. The space is needed to stop or at least slow the spread of wildfire and prevent homes from catching. In addition, Cal Fire works with the local Fire Safe Council in helping fund grants to support communities preparing for fires. “This kind of work is expensive, and often left up to property owners,” Armstrong says. “But people can band together… and get it done.” DeMars suggests the National Fire Protection Association’s Firewise USA certification program, which allows for neighborhoods to get organized and take action to increase the resilience of their homes, and to reduce wildfire risks. Communities that meet a set of voluntary criteria on an annual basis and retain an “In Good Standing Status” may identify themselves as being a certified Firewise site. Find out more about Firewise at nfpa.org. Learn more about fire-prevention grants at firesafesantacruz.org.

AUGUST 2021 | APTOS LIFE

HISTORY CORNER

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were gathered trackside. Bells were ringing, whistles blowing, crowds were cheering. The air was shattering with mighty explosions from the cylinders of the monstrous steam locomotive approaching from the East. In an instant, as if no time had passed at all, a plume of dark smoke was seen filtering through the trees in the direction of the Valencia Creek bridge. People were shouting, little children were crying, tears of joy streamed the faces of many onlookers. And then, all at once, there it was. The most beautiful 22-ton piece of steam power ever to be seen in Santa Cruz County, with its equally lavish coach, came charging out of the trees and across the bridge toward the crowd at Aptos.

A plan for what to do in case of fire is also vital, Armstrong said. Ready For Wildfire’s initiative known as “Ready, Set Go!” lists steps families can take to prepare, including making an evacuation plan and putting together an emergency supply kit. “No matter how well you’re prepared, the time might come when there’s fire,” Armstrong said. “You need to be ready to evacuate.” DeMars said families should also consider that when it happens, they might not actually be at home. “You might be at work, your kids might be at school. Have that in your mind,” he said. DeMars said that he understands people’s hesitation when it comes to evacuating, but that it is vital to be ready. “People don’t want to think they might come back and their house is gone,” he said. “That’s understandable. But your life is more important than your house. Be prepared to leave if you need to.” Residents can stay in touch through Central Fire’s social media and website, and utilize information available from agencies such as FEMA and the Santa Cruz regional 911 center. The dispatch center offers CodeRED alerts and evacuation zone maps at scr911.org.

The gallant Pacific gently slowed to a stop among the crowd. Inch by inch, it worked its way forward, until at last it touched noses with the prideful little Betsy Jane; all at once, the Santa Cruz Railroad was a reality. Hats flew, guns went off; the air was filled with the ear-shattering sounds of bells and steam whistles and screaming voices. It was as if the completion of the transcontinental railroad, rather than a little 21-mile narrow gauge operation, was being celebrated for the very first time. Santa Cruz County had come of age. In 1877, the second locomotive Jupiter was delivered. It is now in the Smithsonian as part of their transportation exhibit. Next month: competition, decline and new opportunities.

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Always in Comfort. GET BACK IN THE GROVE! THE AUDREY STANLEY GROVE, DELAVEAGA PARK, SANTA CRUZ

JULY 20 - AUGUST 29

Text by William Shakespeare Conceived & Adapted by Jessica Kubzansky

by Mat Smart

santacruzshakespeare.org Box Office: 831-460-6399

AUGUST 2021 | APTOS LIFE

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

Conditions Critical Critical BY JOHANNA MILLER

Both firefighters and the community are on edge as fire season dangers intensify—but there are ways to prepare

AUGUST 2021 | APTOS LIFE

T 4

Tarmo Hannula

TEA TIMES It’s not hard to see why Watsonville residents referred to the construction locomotive Betsy Jane as a “tea kettle.”

The Railroad, Part 2 [This is part two of a threepart series. Part three runs next month. — Editor]

MONTH 2021 | AUGUST 2021

WORD FROM A FRIEND

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WE PAY THE TAX ON RENTALS!

Seven Convenient Locations!

Santa Clara 408-727-0822 2550 LAYETTE ST.

Campbell 408-378-4921 900 DELL AVE.

Morgan Hill 408-779-7368 95 E. MAIN AVE.

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AUGUST 2021 | APTOS LIFE

HISTORY CORNER

Get PADI certified for only $525! Discover your own underwater backyard and beyond! Trips scheduled for 2021 and 2022!

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Find yourself,

here.

533 Ocean St.

G A FRIE IN

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8am – 10pm Daily

Voted best dispensary in Santa Cruz 2015 – 2021 with $25 purchase & newly enrolled friend

Cannabis Questions Answered Chat with a consultant on our website today.

Reserve Your Order Online Pick up and pay in store in 30 minutes.

AUGUST 2021 | APTOS LIFE

3600 Soquel Ave.

Licenses: C10-0000172-LIC • C10-0000234-LIC

8am – 10pm Daily

I want to Soak up the sun

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Santa Cruz Location

so that I can enjoy the magic of sea, sand, and surf

Celebrating 10 Years of Clean Cannabis SantaCruzNaturals.org

C10-0000237-LIC | C10-0000238-LIC

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