LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola & Soquel

Sports Page 12

Second Harvest Page 2

APTOS

DECEMBER 2016

SOQUEL

CAPITOLA EVERYTHING APTOS, CAPITOLA & SOQUEL

Vol. 5 No. 5

Measure D supporters claim victory Half-cent sales tax takes effect in April

By TODD GUILD

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — The group that promoted Measure D declared victory just before Thanksgiving, two weeks after voters gave the measure a narrow victory.

The transportation measure held onto its required two-thirds majority as the Santa Cruz County Elections Department counted the votes.

As of Nov. 28, 79,340 voters had given their thumbs-up, just over the two-thirds supermajority needed to pass the tax. Just over 38,000 voted no.

The measure will add a 30-year, half-cent sales tax, which will generate an estimated $500 million for countywide transportation projects.

The largest cut would go to the cities of Capitola, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley and Watsonville and to Santa Cruz County for projects such as road repair and bike lanes.

Watsonville’s cut would be an estimated $23 million over the life of the tax, or $770,000 every year.

Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transportation District will get

Nancy Takaichi (left) of San Jose and Marie Massey of La Selva Beach work on their oil paintings in Capitola during the annual Capitola Plein Air. Photo by Tarmo Hannula

Please turn to Page 6

HISTORY CORNER

By John Hibble Call: 688-1467 Visit us online: aptoshistory.org Visit the museum: 7605-B Old Dominion Court Aptos, CA

The tale of three Jupiters

Panetta victorious in Congress race

Capitola announces new police chief

By TODD GUILD

Staff report

SACRAMENTO — From the moment the numbers began to roll in Nov. 8, Democrat Jimmy Panetta secured a commanding lead over his Republican rival Casey Lucius.

As of Nov. 28, Panetta had garnered 70 percent of the vote.

CAPITOLA — The City of Capitola announced Nov. 10 that Terrence “Terry” McManus has been selected as the city’s new police chief, replacing Chief Rudy Escalante, who recently retired.

McManus will be responsible for continuing the community’s policing services, building public

This is the tale of three railroad steam locomotives.

Two are famous; the third will become part of Aptos history as you read this.

The main entries into Aptos Village are defined by two railroad trestles. One on the western end and the other on the east end. Both trestles, or bridges, are supported by massive concrete footings that allow Soquel Drive to pass under the railroad track and also prevent the street from ever being widened. The footings have been a canvas for graffiti for a long time. Last year, Steve Allen from Allen Property Group paid for a mural to

Please turn to Page 3

Please turn to Page 6

Please turn to Page 7

Inside...

CAP report............................3 Briefs..................................4-5 Guest columns......................11 Calendar...............................18 PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID WATSONVILLE, CA PERMIT NO. 23 ******ECRWSSEDDM****** POSTAL CUSTOMER APTOS, CA 95003 CAPITOLA. CA 95010

December 2016

2 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

Second Harvest kicks off Holiday Food Drive

By TODD GUILD

APTOS — As people throughout the country prepare to celebrate the two holidays most closely associated with eating, families throughout the county are struggling to keep themselves fed on a dayto-day basis.

That is the battle with which Second

Harvest Food Bank has tasked itself, and the clarion call for the organization’s Holiday Food Drive came Nov. 3 at the annual kickoff luncheon at Twin Lakes Church in Aptos.

The Holiday Food & Fund Drive is Second Harvest’s biggest campaign of the year, a time when passersby drop food into collection barrels placed throughout the

county.

The food and funds raised support Second Harvest’s network of 200 pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and food distributions.

Five minutes after the luncheon began, an attendee offered to match up to $5,000, a challenge that was immediately met by an official from Santa Cruz tech company Plantronics.

The food bank has challenged itself with raising 4.5 million meals this year. It feeds 55,000 people in Santa Cruz County every month.

Twin Lakes Church pastor René Schlaepfer began his talk by displaying a giant photo of his grandson, a smiling 3-month-old boy in a pumpkin costume.

“Wouldn’t you love to be that happy?” he asked.

Willy Elliott-McCrea, CEO of the Second Harvest Food Bank, passes the podium off to Pastor René Schlaepfer of Twin Lakes Church at the kickoff for the annual Holiday Food and Fund Drive. Photo by Tarmo Hannula

That led him to a recent story about a study in the New York Times about what factors make people happy.

Those factors, Schlaepfer said, are civic engagement, spiritual connectedness, hope and charity.

“Look at those four things,” he said.

“That is exactly what we are doing here today.”

Schlaepfer said that the people in the room were not merely meeting the “basic human need” by donating money to help feed hungry people.

“We, by what we start today, are also raising the happiness level,” he said “Not only for us personally but also for the whole community by what we launch at this luncheon.”

••• For information, or to make a donation, visit www.thefoodbank.org/campaign-ina-box or call 722-7110.

A free sand bag station is now set up in front of the Aptos History Museum and Chamber of Commerce, 7605 Old Dominion Ct. # A, for citizens to prepare for upcoming storms and high surf. File photo by Tarmo Hannula

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Publisher - John Bartlett General Manager - Amy Bartlett Editor - Erik Chalhoub Editorial Todd Guild, Tony Nuñez, Tarmo Hannula, Bek Phillips

Aptos Chamber news December 2016

Photography - Tarmo Hannula Advertising Sales Tina Chavez, Allison Stenberg, Mark Pezzini, Veronica Iniguez

Production - Daryl Nelson Design - Mike Lyon Life in Aptos, Capitola and Soquel is published monthly. All rights reserved, material may not be reprinted without written consent from the publisher. Life in Aptos, Capitola and Soquel made every effort to maintain the accuracy of information presented in this publication, but assumes no responsibility for errors, changes or omissions. Life in Aptos, Capitola and Soquel is a division of the Register-Pajaronian. Publishing in Santa Cruz County since 1894.

Contact Us

877-694-9048 newsroom@register-pajaronian.com

Thank you for reading!

By KAREN HIBBLE

APTOS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Happy holiday season. This year when you do your holiday shopping and your holiday dining please ask yourself, what has Amazon.com done for your community?

As we approach the holiday season, the Aptos Chamber is urging all of you Aptos Life readers to shop and dine locally when ever possible.

By shopping and dining locally your tax dollars go to work in your home community. Your holiday dollars employ local residents. Insuring the health of local business helps support all the nonprofits in the Santa Cruz County area who depend on business for financial and community support, from organizations such as Second Harvest Food Bank to Toys for Tots, cancer support and hundreds more, nonprofits benefit from a healthy business community. Business also supports parks, recreation and our local schools, roads and all essential county services. The money you spend in Santa Cruz County goes right back into your home town. Giving back ... that is what the holidays are about.

Please remember when you order from Amazon your dollars do not come back to help our community. No one benefits from your holiday spending.

We are a self-help community. But we do need your help.

Please remember whenever possible to shop and dine locally this holiday season.

The job you save may be your own.

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

December 2016

LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 3

PVUSD receives half-million dollar grant Will fund college readiness programs laser printers or other items schools need.

“It would seem to me that we ought to take that $500,000 and put in a welding shop at Watsonville High School or some other feature,” Yahiro said.

But under the terms of the grant, the money can only be used for programs that benefit all students, Brewer said.

According to CDE, the funds can pay Advanced Placement examination fees, develop or purchase materials that support college readiness, counseling services for students and expand access to college level courses, among other things.

PVUSD Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez said she recently went through a similar audit in Santa Ana Unified School District, where she was previously employed.

“The 18 months we spent with counselors, teachers, administrators together developing the action plan was the best time and money we could ever have spent,” she said.

Yahiro also pointed out that the district recently completed a similar study for its state-mandated Local Control Accountability Plan, and questioned whether the district could instead hire its own employee to do the audit.

“We’ve been studying this thing for years,” he said. “When we did the LCAP we had a plan to use the money for exactly this, and to me this is spending more money on studying something.”

Rodriguez said that the audit will provide a detailed study of large amounts of data for which the district lacks the resources.

“If we don’t take the time to really dig in to figure out why we have opportunity gaps, then we will not resolve it with additional funds,” she said.

The result of the two-year study will be a “blueprint,” which the district can use to make necessary changes.

Districts did not need to apply for the grant, but did have to submit a plan of how the money would be used, and how they will measure the success of the programs.

By TODD GUILD

People gather at Cabrillo College’s Samper Recital Hall to hear highlights from the 2016 Community Assessment Project. Photo by Bek Phillips

Disparity between populations reflected in report

By BEK PHILLIPS APTOS — People heading up the Santa Cruz County Community Assessment Project came together for an annual update Nov. 21 citing improvements and looking at future needs in six areas.

The economy, education, health, environment, public safety and the social environment were explored, including disparity between racial and ethnic groups.

“White respondents reported agreeing that their neighborhood helps each other out at a higher rate than [Latinos],” Martine Watkins of the Santa Cruz County Office of Education said. “To feel your neighbors care about you influences your sense of belonging, security and place in that community.”

While the median family income has increased, and the unemployment rate has decreased, the number of people living in poverty has increased. Now more than 16 percent of the county’s population is impoverished, higher than California’s 15 percent poverty rate.

In education, gains and stalemates were seen as high school graduation rates continue to improve, with an overall rate of 87 percent of students graduating in 201415. However, disparities between Latino and White students continue to offer room for refinement as Latinos graduate at a rate of 84 percent, while other students have a graduation rate of 92 percent.

“We are looking at ways to have that not be a stop gap in their education,” Pajaro Valley Unified School District Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez said.

In community health, oral care was identified as the biggest need.

There is some concern though as MediCal sign ups almost doubled in 20132015 and the program may be looking at stringent cuts under Donald Trump’s

administration.

“Federal policy change is slow,” Elisa Orona said about potential changes to MediCal. “We are committed to community well being, and that overcoming the challenges of health care inequities is something we have always made a priority.”

Prenatal care is one area where inconsistencies can be found between Latina and White populations, according to Orona, linking back to healthcare access.

Of concern is access to fresh food and vegetables.

“Physical activity as well as access to healthy food, are key factors in obesity,” Orona said. “Santa Cruz County adults now have less access to affordable fresh fruits and vegetables than they did in 2011.”

Crime saw improvement with a decline in violent crime. But while South County saw a decline in gang-related cases, North County has seen an increase, as well as higher rates of property crime. Prevention practices were praised when numbers of youth involved in gangs and youth crime went down well below state average.

“That being said, we continue to see racial disparities,” Sarah Emmert of United Way of Santa Cruz County said. “We know what factors contribute to youth crime, we need to continue to explore why we see what we are seeing in young men of color and their families.”

This is evident in the jail population where the number of white inmates has decreased at the same time as incarceration rates of Hispanic and African-American populations has increased.

Other statistics of note included a 20-pound increase in pesticide use, almost double. Organic farmland increased more than 100 percent, and last year Santa Cruz County saw no unhealthy days for air quality.

WATSONVILLE — Pajaro Valley Unified School District will soon implement four programs aimed at preparing more students to attend a fouryear university after graduation.

The four programs will cost $535,759, but PVUSD will pay almost none of it.

That is thanks to the College Readiness Block Grant, a program implemented by the California Department of Education.

The grant is funded by Senate Bill 828, which allocated $200 million over two years in one-time funding to 1,000 school districts throughout the state.

Charter schools Ceiba College Preparatory Academy, Pacific Coast Charter School and Diamond Technology Institute each get a separate $75,000 for their own programs.

Under the grant, more sophomores and juniors can take the PSAT test, which PVUSD Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education Mark Brewer said can be an early gauge of academic success.

“This gives us really good data points on whether students are truly ready to access college and careers,” he said.

The PSAT program will cost $108,000, plus $36,000 annually.

The district will also pay $177,359 for a two-year contract for Naviance, an online resource that helps students plan their high school education and apply for college.

After the contract has expired, the district will pay $45,000 in annual upkeep.

Trustee Kim De Serpa praised Naviance, saying it helped her son through his recent college applications.

“I’ve been through this process and it was a nightmare,” she said. “Naviance makes it much easier.”

Finally, the district will undergo a two-year audit by an outside agency to determine how well prepared PVUSD students are for college.

The $215,000 price tag for the study by Oakland-based The Education Trust-West came as a shock to Trustee Willie Yahiro, who asked whether the money could instead be used for shop class equipment,

Panetta

Continued from page 1

Panetta acknowledged his supporters for “working hard throughout the campaign.”

“We had a positive, very principled and consistent campaign,” he said at a Veterans Day assembly at Aromas School.

“That’s what we’re proud of and I think the people of the 20th District are proud of too as demonstrated by the results.”

Lucius sent an email Nov. 8 thanking her supporters.

“This was an adventure that I will never

forget,” she stated in the letter. “I met countless people throughout the district over the last 18 months, I heard incredible stories that I will keep with me forever, and I made more friends than could have ever imagined.”

Lucius congratulated Panetta on his victory.

“I will do all I can to support him as our representative,” she said.

December 2016

4 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

FARM BUREAU

HUMAN SERVICES

VOLUNTEER CENTER

First organic grower to be president of Farm Bureau

Human Services leader to retire

Adopt a Family Project begins

Staff report

Staff report

Staff report

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — Cecilia Espinola, Santa Cruz County’s Human Services director and its longest-serving department head, is retiring at the end of the year, the county announced recently.

A Santa Cruz native, Espinola is known for her leadership of a department that serves thousands of county residents while navigating an ever-changing regulatory environment and providing leadership on issues that impact low-income residents, job seekers, foster children and more. Last year, the department served 91,000 clients — one-third of county residents.

“I’ve been lucky to spend my career in a field for which I have a great passion and commitment. With our dedicated staff and community partners, we’ve been able to make a positive impact on the lives of our residents,” Espinola said. “It’s been my great honor to serve the community in which I grew up.”

Espinola is a past president of the California Welfare Directors Association (CWDA) and remains an active member, having served in a variety of leadership positions in the group. She is a member of the Bay Area Social Services Consortium (BASSC), has served on the California Social Work Education Center (CalSWEC) Board, and is a founding commissioner of the First 5 Santa Cruz County Commission. She also served as a member of the National Association of Social Workers Blue Ribbon Panel on Economic Security and on the Advisory Council for the Center of Advanced Study of Aging Services at UC Berkeley.

She earned her Masters of Social Welfare Degree from UC Berkeley in 1983 and is the mother of two daughters, ages 24 and 27.

The Human Services Department offers a range of services to county residents, including food support, workforce development, In-Home Supportive Services and elderly care, foster care, child protective services, adult protective services, veteran’s services and more.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — Community members are invited to share the spirit of the holiday season by adopting a family less fortunate. The Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County in partnership with 22 fellow nonprofits invites individuals, families, businesses, clubs, or churches to adopt one of the 450 families in need.

There are number of ways to support the program.

Individuals can call the adoption line to select a family. Family packages include food gift certificates, clothing for the children and adults, a small toy for each child, and may include household items such as blankets, towels, or sheets.

Additionally, community members can make individual contributions of items, gift certificates or cash that will be blended with others to fulfill the wishes of a family. Donations can be made online at www.scvolunteercenter.org or can be mailed to the Volunteer Center at 1740 17th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA. 95060.

Finally, individuals can provide support by volunteering for the project. Individuals and groups can register for a variety of volunteer positions online at www.scvolunteercenter.org.

“This program has been maintained for over 20 years due to the generous support of our local businesses, community members, and willing volunteers. We are so thankful to be a part of community that comes forward each year to make the holiday brighter for those in need and we look forward to the launch of another successful year,” said Volunteer Center Executive Director Karen Delaney.

Volunteers will be at the Adopt a Family Phone Line through Dec. 15 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday in Santa Cruz and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Thursday in Watsonville.

For information, call 722-2364 in Watsonville or 457-9834 in Santa Cruz, or visit www. scvolunteercenter.org.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — For the first time in its 99-year history, the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau has elected a certified organic grower as president of the organization.

Tom Broz, owner of Live Earth Farms, assumed his new role with the Farm Bureau on Nov. 1.

Broz was born in Middletown, Ohio, but moved to Venezuela with his parents shortly after and lived there until he was 10 years old. From Venezuela his family moved to Ecuador, and Broz lived there until he was 18. He then moved to the United States to attend college.

He is the only member of his family to be born in the United States. Broz’s wife Constance was born and raised in France.

Broz developed an interest in agriculture while he was doing his undergraduate studies at Cornell. But his interest turned into action when he joined the Peace Corps and worked with farmers in Western Samoa.

When he returned to the United States he got a job with the Environmental Protection Agency in San Francisco.

After getting married and starting a family, Broz enrolled in an organic farming apprentice program at UC Santa Cruz and purchased land in Watsonville where he started Live Earth Farm. Live Earth Farm is an organic operation that has focused on its Community Supported Agriculture program.

Broz will be president of the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau during the organization’s celebration of its 100th anniversary. The Farm Bureau is planning to celebrate its anniversary with a celebration over the entire year.

Proudly serving our customers and communities for 70 years

OPEN 7 DAYS!

• AIR COMPRESSORS • AUTO TOOLS • CHAIN SAWS • GENERATORS • GARDEN TOOLS • LOG SPLITTERS • MIXERS

• FORKLIFTS • MANLIFTS • LIGHT TOWERS • REACH LIFTS • BACKHOES • TRUCKS • TRAILERS

WE PAY THE SALES TAX ON RENTALS!

& MORE!

Now! SEVEN CONVENIENT LOCATIONS Santa Clara

408-727-0822

2550 LAFAYETTE ST.

Hollister

831-638-1999 2610 SAN JUAN RD.

Campbell

408-378-4921 900 DELL AVE.

Watsonville

831-722-0334 285 W. BEACH ST.

www.AToolShed.com 1-800-A-TOOL-SHED

Morgan Hill

408-779-7368 95 E. MAIN AVE.

Santa Cruz

Salinas

3700 SOQUEL AVE.

210 W. MARKET ST.

831-477-7133 831-424-7368

WE DELIVER

December 2016

WINTER SHELTER PROGRAM

LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 5

TOYS FOR TOTS

TWIN LAKES

Caitlin Brune (left), incoming CEO of the Pajaro Valley Community Health Trust, formerly challenges Cindy Weigelt (right), marketing director of Watsonville Community Hospital, and hospital staff to assemble as many bicycles as possible in a two-hour block to aid the annual Toys For Tots program. Delilah Valadez, program coordinator for Toy For Tots, is also shown. Photo by Tarmo Hannula

East Cliff Drive, in Twin Lakes, between 5th and 7th avenues in Live Oak, is now a major construction site as the Twin Lakes improvement project moves forward.

Photo by Tarmo Hannula

Board applauds return of winter shelter program Staff Report SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved the establishment of a temporary Emergency Winter Shelter to offer additional shelter to homeless persons during upcoming winter months.

The agreement is the result of months of negotiations between the county, local cities, the Association of Faith Communities, Homeless Services Center and the two hosts for the upcoming Emergency Winter Shelter: the Salvation Army and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7263. The shelter program is scheduled to begin operations Dec. 1.

The Association of Faith Communities will operate the shelters, located on Laurel Street in Santa Cruz and Seventh Avenue in Live Oak, respectively. A Live Oak community meeting was recently held to discuss shelter operations, with VFW and Association of Faith Communities officials in attendance to answer questions, as well as Supervisor John Leopold, Sheriff Jim Hart and Homeless Services Coordinator Rayne Marr.

Emergency Winter Shelter users will undergo criminal background checks and other screening processes before entering the shelter. They will be bussed from an intake site at 1220 River St. to the shelter sites, where paid security will assure the safety of shelter users and surrounding neighborhoods. No contraband, including weapons, drugs or alcohol, will be allowed in shelters. Clients must visit the intake site first, with no walk-up services provided at either shelter site.

The most recent census of the homeless population showed nearly 2,000 homeless persons in Santa Cruz County. Though formerly operated at the Armory building in DeLaveaga Park, the VFW and Salvation Army have graciously volunteered to host it, with Salvation Army shelter operations beginning in January. Local churchgoers will provide nightly meals and companionship to shelter users.

‘North Pole’ ready, volunteers needed

By TODD GUILD

WATSONVILLE — A little more than two weeks after the local Toys For Tots coordinator pleaded with the community for a warehouse to keep and distribute the voluminous amounts of toys, the community responded.

Now, toys are piling up in the organization’s new headquarters, which Toys For Tots Santa Cruz County Program Coordinator Delilah Valadez has dubbed “the North Pole.”

For an estimated 10,000 children, the toy they receive from Toys For Tots will be the only one they receive, Valadez said.

Many of the toys already in the warehouse came from a recent shopping spree at Toys R Us, which Valadez described as “20 volunteers, 80 shopping carts and a lot of fun.”

••• To volunteer, or for a list of donation drop off spots, visit www.tinyurl.com/nh7hjw6.

Twin Lakes improvement project in full swing Staff report LIVE OAK — Work is progressing on a project in Live Oak to improve beach access at Twin Lakes State Beach.

Running between 5th and 7th avenues, the project, which got underway in September, realigns the street to improve parking, add bicycle lanes and sidewalks, create more pedestrian beach access, add benches, reclaim public right-of-way for public benefit, add coastal access for the disabled, and stabilize the roadway while protecting the beachfront character and natural surroundings.

The project area also provides a link for both the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail and the California Coastal Trail and represents the last redevelopment project funded by the county’s former redevelopment agency, following the 2012 dissolution of redevelopment agencies across California.

The project — which will be built by Graniterock under a $4.7 million contract – is the result of efforts by the county, the neighborhood, the Port District, California State Parks and the California Coastal Commission.

What a Wonderful World My mom has always been an optimist. She sees hope when others just see rain.

For as long as I can remember, each fall, when temperatures cooled and the autumn rains rolled in over our pasture, she pointed out a symbol of that hope. We would wait, and when the sun broke just the right way, it would emerge. A rainbow!

I cling to those now. Rainbows. Because they are harder for her to point out.

Over the course of my mom’s life, severe arthritis and a weak heart now make bending and reaching painful. Cooking and laundry are impossible without help.

My dad and I have tried home care services and worked shifts ourselves, but Dad is exhausted and they’re becoming housebound. I think it’s time for a change.

If an older parent needs daily assistance, maybe they’re not independent anymore.

Consider Áegis Living for professional help. We are the trusted, local senior care provider, specializing in assisted living and memory care. We offer the finest care, cuisine, social activities and comfortable warm home surroundings with committed staff. Come in for a tour and lunch with your parent. Let them experience our community filled with new friends, and new hope.

Please call our community and learn how we can help you take the break you need.

Áegis of Aptos 125 Heather Terrace Aptos, CA 95003

831-706-2956 AegisofAptos.com

RCFE #445202057

December 2016

6 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

Measure D

Continued from page 1

$2.75 million every year, and Community Bridges Lift Line Paratransit Service would get $680,000 per year.

Projects such as the Coastal Rail Trail — which connects seven cities throughout the county — would receive 17 percent.

Eight percent would go to maintaining the rail corridor that runs through the county, with some of those funds paying for studies of various “non-rail” options.

Supporters must also pay the Santa Cruz County Elections Department for the cost of placing it on the ballot, County Clerk Gail Pellerin said.

At $1.50 per voter for 157,000 voters, that will mean approximately $235,500 that will come from Measure D funds.

The tax will go into effect on April 1, and work such as pothole repair and bicycle lanes is expected to begin during the following summer as tax receipts start rolling in.

Some local projects will require approval by city officials, offering residents a chance to give their input,

said Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission Senior Planner Karena Pushnik.

Additionally, each of the jurisdictions must have a five-year plan for how they will use their share of the revenue, Pushnik said.

Some work could begin sooner, as jurisdictions plan their projects based on projected revenue.

Larger projects, such as the Highway 1 auxiliary lanes, will start as early as 2019, as officials await design and environmental review.

From its inception, Measure D sparked both controversy and agreement, with most people agreeing that the county’s roads need to be repaired, that pedestrian bridges and bike paths need to be built and the bus systems need financial support.

But they disagreed on spending $125 million for auxiliary lanes on Highway 1 from Soquel Drive to State Park Drive.

Widening Won’t Work, No on Measure D chair Rick Longinotti said that work

FOR ALL YOUR TIRE BRAKE & ALIGNMENT NEEDS Since 1973

Specializing in...

• Tires • Brakes • Alignment • Shocks • Front End Work • RV’s • Farm • Forklifts • Cars • Trucks • Semi’s Tires Incorporated • Oil Changes 24 Hours Road Service 831-728-3110

831-722-4197

125 Walker St • Watsonville, CA 95076

will not improve the flow of traffic. Instead, widening the highway will increase the numbers of vehicles on the road, he said.

“We feel mixed about the measure, because there are good things about it,” he said.

Longinotti said he hopes that an upcoming environmental impact report will offer more palatable alternatives to the auxiliary lanes, such as building express bus lanes on the shoulder of Highway 1, or a rail transit network.

If that fails, he said his group will consider mounting a legal challenge.

“That’s what we will be doing to see what we can do to make Metro more of a

focus,” he said.

Santa Cruz City Councilman Don Lane, who also chairs the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission, said the success came in part by building a “broad coalition” of supporters.

The campaign garnered endorsements from nearly 400 organizations, businesses and individuals.

“Everyone involved is thrilled about the outcome, and we’re feeling a lot of appreciation for the people who made it happen and voted for it,” Lane said.

••• For information, visit www. getSantaCruzCountyMoving.org.

Capitola police chief safety outreach programs, and at the same time, providing a perspective on the city’s management team, City Manager Jamie Goldstein said.

McManus joins Capitola after serving the City of San Diego Police Department for 30 years. A native of the San Francisco Bay area, McManus joined SDPD in 1986 and served most recently as assistant chief of police in charge centralized investigations.

He was responsible for overseeing more than 15 of San Diego’s investigative units and approximately 350 sworn and civilian employees.

While with San Diego, McManus had numerous specialized assignments in patrol, administration and investigations, as well as serving as Commanding Officer of San Diego’s Northeastern Division.

When notified of the appointment, McManus said he was “very excited to join a team of talented professionals in the Capitola Police Department who share a commitment to public service and excellence in serving the City of Capitola.”

“It has been a long term goal to serve as police chief in a coastal community like Capitola that is committed to its police department,” he said. “I truly look forward to both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”

Continued from page 1

Michael Termini, Capitola City Councilman and panelist for the police chief interviews, said, “I am confident that Terry McManus is a wonderful match for the City of Capitola. His deep understanding of the mechanics of police management and community engagement, coupled with his proven leadership, will be important assets for our city for years to come.”

McManus earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of San Francisco in 1984, where he also played collegiate baseball. He was born and raised in a law enforcement family in Vallejo.

McManus has a passion for community policing, transparency in law enforcement, and the development of law enforcement leaders though community engagement and interaction, Goldstein said. McManus has been a board member for California Police Youth Charities since 2007, and is involved with youth coaching and mentoring in the San Diego area. He has a strong desire to continue these youth mentoring opportunities in Capitola, Goldstein said.

His hobbies include all outdoor activities, fitness and vacationing in Lake Tahoe with his three adult sons.

McManus will take the reigns in his new role Dec. 5.

December 2016

History Corner

LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 7 Continued from page 1

Art Thomae’s mural on Soquel Drive shows the Jupiter and Aptos Station.

Contributed photo

The Jupiter locomotive is shown in 1878. Aptos History Museum archives

Aptos Station is shown. Aptos History Museum archives

cover the western trestle footing next to his office. We collaborated on a design that would showcase the apple industry as part of Aptos’ history. Arturo (Art) Thomae, the muralist, completed the final design.

Next, Mary Russell of Mortgage Results volunteered to help find donors to raise enough funds to paint the eastern trestle footing, which is a much lager canvas.

Mary was able to enlist more than 20 donors and volunteers to work on the project. For this trestle footing the design concept that we chose was the coming of the railroad and the lumber industry that followed.

We provided all of the necessary research photographs and Art Thomae created and painted the final design. Hal and Haley Turner helped remove the overgrown vegetation and prep for painting. Arturo and Hal were rewarded with nice cases of poison oak.

If you are heading into the village from Rio Del Mar, the first thing you see on the right-hand side is the old Aptos train station. The first Santa Cruz Rail Road was built in 1876 by a group of local business people. It was built as a narrow gauge line in order to save money. The Aptos train station was a beautiful Victorian structure painted yellow with dark green trim. After Southern Pacific took over and broad-gauged the line in 1883, the station was repainted the standard S.P. colors of mustard yellow with brown trim.

The depot was torn down about 1940. In Arturo’s version, he painted shadowy figures inside the station. Several people sitting in traffic looking at the painting have commented that the figure on the left appears to be pointing a gun at the person on the right. Arturo said, “Absolutely not,” but art is in the eye of the beholder. What do you think?

The next thing that you see as you pass is the bright red Jupiter locomotive.

Steam engines were originally painted in bright colors but as coal and oil eventually replaced wood as the fuel, the engines became covered with grime and were subsequently painted black. The Jupiter was one of three locomotives on the Santa Cruz line and was built in 1876. It was a narrow gauge 4-4-0 Baldwin steam engine.

The Jupiter was restored in 1975 for the U.S. bicentennial and is now the central fixture in the Smithsonian’s transportation exhibit in Washington D.C. Steam locomotives are classified by wheel arrangement. The first 4 in 4-40 describes the first set of small leading wheels, (two on each side). The next number 4 describes the four, 42-inch high wheels which are the powered driving wheels. The final 0 shows that there are no trailing wheels.

A gentleman came in to the museum

and told me that the mural had the wrong Jupiter painted on it because the painting was a 4-6-0 locomotive (with three drive wheels on each side), and that it must be the Jupiter locomotive that was at the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. You will recall that the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific (later known as the Southern Pacific), met at Promontory Summit, Utah where the “Golden Spike” was driven in 1869. So I looked up that particular Jupiter locomotive and found that it was a standard gauge 4-4-0 steam locomotive built in 1868 by the Schenectady Locomotive Works. That means that it looks the same as our Jupiter but the wheels are wider apart for standard gauge track.

I drove by the mural and, sure enough, there were three drive wheels showing. So how did our painting get six drive wheels (three on each side)? I asked Arturo and he was puzzled. It turns out that a true artist does not always pay close attention to realism. Art flows from their mind and finger tips. The amazing mural is truly a creation that has sprung from Art Thomae’s creativity. The mural has been coated with an anti-graffiti coating so it is not possible to change the locomotive’s wheel configuration. So, now there are three Jupiter locomotives, the one in Washington D.C., the one from the Golden Spike ceremony and our own unique version on the mural, which only you and I know about.

The massive concrete footing on the left side of the road is painted with redwoods, flora and fauna. There is a stream that cascades down through a fish ladder with a steelhead fish in a pool at the bottom. It is a great visual solution to a very convoluted concrete canvas. Arturo painted the fish ladder to replicate a real fish ladder that actually passes under Soquel Drive at that location. Pretty imaginative.

At the Aptos Chamber’s annual Awards Dinner on Nov. 4, Steven Allen was given “Man of the Year” honors for his involvement with these two murals in addition to the many other contributions he has made to our community. The “Outstanding Achievement Award” was given to the Aptos Mural Committee which includes Hal and Haley Turner, Steve Allen, Mary Russell, Art Thomae and me.

Thanks, also, to all of the businesses that made it possible. We hope that you enjoy our village a little more every time you pass by these works of “Art.” If you enjoyed this tale, please consider becoming a member of the Aptos History Museum as that is the ultimate source of these stories. Thank you.

NON-PROFIT

Join These Businesses in Supporting Non-Profit Organizations

Tools to Make Parenting Easier

First 5 Santa Cruz County triplep.first5scc.org 831.465.2217

g a b o u t fi g h t i n g h u n

er!

www.thefoodbank.org/fooddrive2016

8 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

December 2016

December 2016

LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 9

Community Foundation CEO to retire

By TODD GUILD APTOS — When Community Foundation Santa Cruz County CEO Lance Linares retires at the end of fall 2017, he will leave behind an organization whose assets grew from $6 million to $108 million during his 22-year tenure.

Linares announced his retirement Nov. 21.

Among his accomplishments, Linares points to the creation of the Diversity Partnership Fund, and the expansion of donor-advised funds from two to 75.

He also helped raise donated funds to build the foundation’s new headquarters at 7807 Soquel Drive, which in addition to the foundation is used by numerous community groups throughout the year.

Most recently, the foundation created the Fund for Women and Girls, intended to boost the educational and career success of low-income girls.

He said his decision to retire was in part an effort to give the reins to a new leader.

“I really do feel that it can be difficult in a community when either a person too much self-identifies as being the head of an organization, or when an organization too much self-identifies with a person,” he said.

Linares said the change in leadership will come as the organization evolves, along with the changing dynamic between governments, nonprofits and the community.

Such a move is also important as senior board members reach the end of their nineyear tenure. A new leader, he said, should be involved with helping to build a new board.

“At a certain point you need new energy,” he said. “The Community Foundation is nowhere near what it was when I came here; it’s nowhere near what it was five years ago.”

Linares also said that the new CEO is likely to come in to the position

a b out

Terry Medina, Community Foundation board president (left), and CEO Lance Linares are shown at the Community Foundation in Aptos.

Linares announced he will step down in 2017. Contributed photo

with new energy, and see the position as an exciting challenge.

“I’m the kind of personality that, if it’s new and different and chaotic and challenging and weird, I’m all there,” he said. “If it’s the same-old-same-old, maybe I’m not as excited about it.”

Born in the San Francisco area, Linares came here to attend UC Santa Cruz, and then ran the Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County. He went on to manage the now-defunct radio station KUSP before coming to the Community Foundation in

g n i t fi g h

g n hu

! r e

1995.

“I’ve had three jobs,” Linares said.

Since its creation 34 years ago, Community Foundation Santa Cruz County has worked to help donors both small and large direct their charitable efforts to the causes they care about.

The foundation also works with organizations and charities that benefit from the donations, assuring the needs of both donors and recipients are met.

The CFSCC Board of Directors hopes to choose a search firm and develop a job

description for the nationwide search. The board hopes to make a decision by the middle of 2017.

Board President Terry Medina praised Linares, and said bids for a search firm have already come in.

“As a county resident and board member, I know the trust and confidence people have in the Community Foundation,” Medina said. “That’s due in large part to the quality of leadership Lance Linares has brought to the position.”

Want to do something BIG to help the community this holiday season?

Give the gift of FOOD. Every $1 = 4 healthy meals.

Your gift today will be used to provide healthy food and nutrition programs to children, families, seniors and vets in Santa Cruz County.

www.thefoodbank.org/fooddrive2016 Donate online or mail your gift to Second Harvest Food Bank, 800 Ohlone Parkway, Watsonville, CA 95076

December 2016

10 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

Second District Report

Road improvements coming to Aptos Village

By ZACH FRIEND

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY SUPERVISOR

With work beginning on the Aptos Village project, including the recent movement of the historic apple barn to its location in the heart of the Village, I wanted to provide an update on some of the road improvements that will be occurring in the area. After a competitive bid process the Board of Supervisors recently approved the lowest bid for road improvements for the Aptos Village area.

Here is an overview of the work that will be done, an estimated timeline and ways to learn more information.

By GARY E. CROXALL, CFP® and SOREN E. CROXALL, CFP® It’s that time of year again. As 2016 draws to a close, it’s easy to get caught up in holiday travel, parties and family gatherings. However, knocking off a few financial to do’s before the ball drops in Times Square to ring in 2017 can go a long way and put you on the right track for the New Year.

• Portfolio Review — If you’re like most people, the investment choices you’ve made in your company retirement plan or IRA are probably a distant memory.

Now would be a good time to review your overall investment choices and make sure they are still aligned with your investment time horizon and risk tolerance level.

Also, make sure you are maximizing

What road and pedestrian improvements are planned?

Soquel/Trout Gulch Intersection: Will be signalized and a new left turn lane will be installed for westbound Soquel to access the Bay Federal Credit Union complex. New streetlights will be installed as will new ADA crosswalks (controlled by the traffic signal). The crosswalks will include one across Soquel on the east side of Trout Gulch and one across Trout Gulch on the south side of Aptos Street. These crosswalks should greatly improve the pedestrian safety along that intersection.

Soquel Drive from Trout Gulch east: Will be improved with a new sidewalk and ADA compliant bus turnout. A new retaining wall will be built for the bus turnout and the south side of Soquel will be improved from the driveway access of Bay Federal to the walkway west of the driveway with a new ADA compliant sidewalk.

Trout Gulch from Soquel to Valencia Street: Will be improved with a new sidewalk on the east side and segments of new sidewalk and ADA access including

handrails on the west side. The road will be resurfaced and striped for bike lanes.

Trout Gulch Rail Crossing: Will be removed and replaced with concrete panels for road and pedestrian crossing and will have new crossing arms and warning systems (flashing lights) installed. A new drainage system under the crossing will be installed to connect to an existing system on Soquel to improve storm drainage in that area.

How can the community learn more?

As we get closer to construction, the County Public Works Department will be creating a dedicated website for Village road improvements available on their page dpw.santacruzcounty.us. In addition, the developer has a page that will include general updates (and where you can sign up for a newsletter with information) at www.theaptosvillage.com. Message signs with updated information will be placed at both entrances to the Village for motorists as well and County Public Works will have a specific point of contact for the community for all questions related to the road work. The County will also provide press releases to local media before work begins with the dates and hours of work and contact information for the community. Once the website is completed the approved construction plans for the road improvements will also be available for viewing.

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts, please feel free to contact me at 454-2200.

How are these improvements funded?

The road, bike and pedestrian improvements in the Village are funded through developer fees, Regional Surface Transportation Program (state) funds, Surface Transportation Block Grant (federal) funds, Transportation Development Act (state) funds and Highway Safety and Lighting funds.

What is the preliminary work schedule?

Current plans for the phase one road improvements outlined above are to begin in February or March (weather permitting) and to end in July or August.

Guest Columnist

Guest Columnist

End of year checklist contributions to your employer sponsored retirement accounts.

“Maximizing contributions” may mean different things to different people. For some it may mean putting the annual maximum contribution allowed under current IRS guidelines. For others, it may mean contributing enough to take full advantage of an employer match.

Everyone’s situation is different, and you should target saving what your budget will allow for. If you are 70 1/2 or older, be sure you are taking out your required minimum distributions from various retirement accounts as needed. The potential tax penalty is steep for forgetting to do this.

• Review Beneficiary Designations — We have mentioned this a few times in previous articles, but it is something that is easily forgotten about or neglected.

Review the beneficiary designations you have listed on various assets including but not limited to: retirement plans, life insurance and annuities. Take a few minutes and make sure assets that have beneficiary designations will go where you want them to go when you pass away.

• Review Deductions — As the year draws to a close, make sure you are maximizing any potential deductions you

may have if you itemize deductions on your tax return. If you were planning on making some charitable contributions throughout the year but haven’t done so yet — do it! Just be sure to keep good records and receipts. Keep track of un-reimbursed employee expenses or miscellaneous items like job hunting expenses or tax preparation fees. A qualified professional can help ensure you are taking advantage of all deductions and credits that may be available to you.

• Review Overall Spending Habits — December is a good month to review year to date spending. Where is your money going? Where are areas that you could be more efficient? Doing a formal review of your overall spending may surprise you.

You may be able to tweak certain expenses to allow you to save more toward your goals in 2017 and beyond.

• Use Up FSA Money — Do you need a new pair of glasses or box of contacts? If you have money that you’ve been putting into an FSA (Flexible Spending Account), consider using up the account before year end with qualifying expenses. Be sure the check with your benefits department first, however, FSA dollars typically don’t

carry forward into the New Year (some companies have an exception and allow up to $500 to be carried forward). It’s important to pay attention to deadlines with FSA accounts because they are typically “use it or lose it” accounts.

We wish everyone a happy holiday season and a prosperous new year.

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.

December 2016

Guest Columnist

LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 11

Guest Columnist

Child Safety Seat laws change on Jan. 1.

Are you prepared?

By T. DRAKE

CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER

Kids are going to fall, crash, slip and tumble. It’s all part of being a kid, and we wouldn’t want it any other way. But there are little things we can all do to ensure that kids avoid the more serious injuries that can lead to disabilities and even death.

An unrestrained child in a car is at significant risk of injury or death in the event of a traffic collision. Protect your children by using age appropriate passenger restraint devices (safety seats or seat belts for older children). Buckling up is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself and your passengers in a crash. It is extremely important to make sure all children riding in your car

are properly secured before every trip.

California’s current law states children under the age of 8 must be secured in a car seat or booster seat in the back seat.

Current law also says an infant must be rear facing, in the back seat, until the age of one. Children who are 8 years of age or have reached 4-feet-9-inches in height must be secured by a safety belt, and passengers who are 16 years of age and over are subject to California’s Mandatory Seat Belt law.

There is a new law in California that will go into effect starting Jan. 1, 2017.

The new law states children under the age of 2 must ride rear-facing in an appropriate child safety seat, or until they exceed the height or weight limit for the car seat, which can be found on the back of the seat. The law changed because long term

studies found that children under age 2 are 75 percent less likely to die or to be severely injured in a crash if they are rearfacing.

Seatbelts aren’t just for kids. Everyone needs to buckle up every time they get in a car, whether they are a driver or a passenger. It’s been proven time and again, on back roads and superhighways: A seat belt can save a life in a car accident.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 15,000 lives are saved each year in the United States because drivers and their passengers were wearing seat belts when they were in accidents. Remember, a seatbelt must be worn correctly in order for it to do its job! Wearing your seatbelt under your arm or any other way than how it’s designed, could cause serious injury in

Guest Columnist

a collision.

If you’re not confident of how to properly secure your child in a safety seat, contact the Santa Cruz CHP Office, and ask to speak with a child passenger safety technician. The Santa Cruz Area CHP offers free child safety seat installations by appointment. If you would like a tech to show you proper installation, or to check your current seat installation, give us a call at 662-0511.

Just remember, your children are watching you from the moment they turn around and are front facing. They mimic your behavior, good or bad. If you buckle up every time, your children will follow suit! Let’s work together and keep everyone safe!

Guest Columnist

Aptos real estate update, November-December

By RUTH BATES

Broker Associate & MBA

I thought it would be interesting to capture the state of the Real Estate market in Aptos as of end of day Nov. 8 — Election Day. A total of 221 homes were sold in Aptos from Jan. 1 to Nov. 8, about 22 per month (In 2015, 328 homes were sold or 27 per month). The highest sale was $9,750,000 for 164 Pleasant Valley Road, a 4 bed, 5 bath, 6,919 square-foot home on 80-plus acres. The lowest sale was $479,000 for a 2 bed, 1 bath, 704-square-foot home on Westwood Lane. On average, homes under $1 million sold for 93 percent of list in 44 days on market and homes under $1 million sold for 98 percent of list in 38 days on market. Nine homes sold for over $2 million, 62 homes sold for over $1 million, leaving 149 homes that sold for under $1 million. The Average Sales Price for homes sold under $2 million was $924,177, up from 2015 which was $870,020. Inventory remained low throughout the year and prices did continue to climb.

Thirty condos sold at an average sale price of $548,167. The highest condo sale was 120 Rio Del Mar — $842,000.

The lowest condo sale was 3027 Corte Cabrillo — $360,675 — an Affordable Housing unit. Thirty-seven Townhomes sold at an average sale price of $671,717.

The highest sale was 1312 Via Tornasol, a 2 bed, 2.5 bath, 2,274-square-foot ocean view town home that sold for $1,500,000.

The lowest sale was 2605 Willowbrook, a 2 bed, 2 bath, 1,200 square-foot town home which sold for $449,000. A record high sale of $548,000 was paid for 103 Cherry Blossom, a 3 bed, 2 bath, 1600-squarefoot brand new manufactured home in Aptos Pines, an all-age park. Townhomes, condos, and even mobile homes pushed to new highs.

••• Active listings — and buyer guidelines As of Nov. 12 there are 62 Active Single Family home listings in Aptos; only 20 below $1 million. There are only 4 townhomes and 7 condos on the market, so it is still very much a seller’s market.

Because the market is competitive, here are four mistakes for buyers to avoid: • Getting loan pre-approval online — Sellers and their agents want to see a local lender; get prequalified with any high quality local lender and you will be a stronger buyer.

• Underestimating your budget — Don’t forget to factor in Property Taxes, Insurance, Utilities, Maintenance and Repairs when you plan for home ownership. In our county, annual property taxes run about 1.25 percent of purchase price.

• Foregoing contingencies — In a seller’s market, it is easy to think that giving up your contingencies will make your offer more attractive, but protecting yourself should be your first priority. The standard purchase contract offers a 17day contingency for Appraisal and for Inspections, and a 21-day contingency for

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE SALES l LEASING l MANAGEMENT CAL BRE# 01843086

Experience. Integrity. Results.

347 Spreckels Drive l Aptos, CA 95003 l 831.688.5100 tel l 831.688.5102 fax l allenpginc.com

Loan Approval.

• Biggest mistake: Not listening to your agent. Solely relying on friends, family and social media can put you at risk. Your agent is a real estate professional who will guide you every step of the way.

Gratitude: The future is uncertain, it always is. But at this time of thanksgiving, I want to say how grateful I am for the many “think local-shop local” places and offerings that Aptos has to share.

My personal Aptos favorites include: Nisene Marks State Park, the Rio Del Mar esplanade, Seascape Golf course, Aptos Chamber of Commerce, Sanderlings, Uncle Kwoks, JBella Nails, Cinnamon Bay, and my almost daily fix at Pacific Roasting Coffee Company.

Happy Holidays to all — think and shop local — and may 2017 be a blessed and fabulous year in Aptos!

December 2016

12 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

DECEMBER 2016

League names Aptos senior setter MVP; Tennant earns Coach of the Year

By TONY NUNEZ APTOS — For Aptos High’s Elise Coash, being named the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League’s Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive season was sweet.

But the wins, accomplishments and memories that came before the award were even sweeter.

“It wasn’t really about the award. It was more about the season that we had as a team,” Coash said. “We accomplished so much…the award was just a product of the season we had as a team.”

And what a season it was.

Aptos won its fourth straight SCCAL title and stood mightily above the rest of the league by not only finishing with a 14-0 league record but also winning the end of season SCCAL tournament. The Mariners had not accomplished that feat since 2009.

They also made history at a higher level by advancing to the Central Coast Section championship game for the first time since 1995.

And Coash was at the center of it all.

The future UC Irvine Ant Eater led the Mariners in assists, blocks, digs and aces, according to Aptos head coach Ashley Tennant.

She had her biggest games in grandest moments.

Against the Soquel High Knights in the SCCAL tournament championship, she had 44 assists and 13 digs and in the CCS Division III semifinals against Notre Dame-San Jose she turned in a masterful performance with 27 digs, 37 assists and four blocks to lift the Mariners into the final.

“She was our team leader,” Tennant said of Coash. “It’s not just her athleticism and skill but it’s her personality and attitude.

She’s playful and fun but she also had that intensity.”

Coash, a four-year varsity starter, attributed some of that aggressive intensity to Tennant, who was named the SCCAL Coach of the Year in her first year with the Mariners.

“She brought out a really good side from all of us. A really competitive side,” Coash said of Tennant. “You could feel

it in practice. The type of intensity that we practiced with helped us in the tough moments. I think that definitely helped us out through league and in playoffs.”

Tennant, who joined the Mariners after two seasons at San Lorenzo Valley High, said she was not able to attend the SCCAL coaches’ meeting but hoped that the vote for Coach of the Year came down to more than just the final record and finish.

She also said the Player of the Year award given to Soquel junior outside hitter Maggie Walters was extremely well deserved.

“She deserved the recognition for the type of player that she is,” Tennant said.

“She’s above and beyond the other outsides in our league, even in our region. We’ve played a [6-foot-2-inch] outside and even then there was no comparison. She’s way better.”

Along with Coash and Tennant’s awards, Aptos sophomore outside hitter Jillian Rodriguez and junior opposite Madeline Smith received nods to the SCCAL First Team.

Rodriguez filled the Mariners’ void on the outside after they lost multiple strong hitters to graduation last season.

Smith, a lefty who moved to Aptos from Redding over the summer, took a Aptos High senior setter Elise Coash (7) passes to a teammate during a non-league game few matches to find her role on the team against Salinas High in Aptos earlier this season. For the second year in a row, Coash was but eventually synched up with Coash. named the SCCAL MVP. Photo by Tony Nunez The two became a dynamic 1-2 punch the Mariners needed.

“In the second half of the season, she took off,” Tennant said of Smith, who made Costa Rica’s U18 and U20 national teams over the summer. “She really changed what we could do offensively. Having her on the right side was a huge boost for us. It kept the other team guessing.”

St. Francis High juniors Audrey Ryan, a setter, and Emma Ryan, an outside hitter, made the SCCAL Second Team. The two helped the Sharks reach the CCS playoffs for the second straight season.

Fellow Sharks Laura Martinelli, a senior middle blocker, and Samantha Bellucci, a 12 Months $105.50 junior outside hitter, received honorable mentions along with Aptos junior libero And We’ll Donate $10.00 Dani Hewitt and senior outside hitter Ari in your name Rodriguez. (regular subscription price: $130.50)

6 Months $62.00 And We’ll Donate $5.00 in your name (regular subscription price: $76.50)

Already get the paper?

A perfect gift for the holidays for your family and friends Donations to the Second Harvest Food Bank will be issued on December 22. Payment must be included with subscription order.

Subscriptions are non-refundable during the initial sign-up period under this special offer.

Call 761-7311 Holiday Savings ...

Holiday Giving ...

Holiday Rewards!

Offer Expires 12/19/16

December 2016

LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 13

Mariners’ CCS reign crumbles

By TONY NUNEZ SAN JOSE — There were tears.

There was heartbreak.

The Aptos High Mariners knew that this could be one of the possibilities when they chose to move up to the Open Division.

Still, it did not soften the blow one bit.

The No. 3-seeded Mariners could not get out of their own way in a 35-7 seasonending loss to the No. 2-seeded Valley Christian Warriors in the Central Coast Section Open Division III semifinals on Nov. 18 in San Jose, putting an end to their chances at a fourth straight CCS championship.

“It just hurts,” said Aptos senior quarterback Gavin Glaum. “I know we definitely could’ve played a lot better. We could’ve got more points up on the board but that’s what happens when you make mistakes. On my own part, I made a little bit too many but there’s nothing we can do about it.”

The Mariners (9-3), who had won their last 10 CCS playoff games, turned the ball over four times, giving the Warriors (11-1) solid field position time and again.

Valley Christian, the tri-champion of the powerhouse West Catholic Athletic League, capitalized on every opportunity, churning out short touchdown drives on the legs of speedy senior running back Javon Sturns, who ran for 143 yards and four touchdowns on 20 carries.

“Our guys were ready all week,” Sturns said. “We’ve been waiting for this game since the beginning of the season. We’ve been ready.”

And it showed.

The five-time CCS champions stymied nearly everything Aptos threw their way, holding them to only two first downs

before the Mariners strung together their first successful drive of the night.

Aptos advanced to the Warriors’ 4-yard line and had four cracks at the end zone with less than two minutes left in the first half. But Glaum’s pass on fourthand-goal sailed over senior receiver Joey Riccabona’s head and landed incomplete.

The Mariners chances at the upset only worsened coming out of the half, as they gave away the ball deep in their own territory on their first two drives. Both times the Warriors made them pay for it with touchdowns.

They avoided their first shutout loss since 2005 late in the fourth quarter on a 13-yard connection from Glaum to senior tight end Darrien Lee but it was far too little, far too late.

Glaum set the program record for career passing yards (2,711) by completing 10 of his 19 passes for 151 yards but was under constant pressure from the Warriors’ quick and smart defensive line. He was sacked twice and was hurried on all three of his interceptions.

“They were definitely the biggest D-line we’ve faced,” Glaum said. “They got after it. They definitely made me know that they were there.”

Riccabona, meanwhile, tied the program record for receptions in a season (40) by making five grabs for 117 yards but the record-breaking wideout could only tilt the battle so much against the bigger and faster Warriors, who will face Palma High for the CCS Open D-III championship next week at Oak Grove High.

“They’ve got some monsters and they keep coming at you and coming at you and they ended up breaking us,” said Aptos coach Randy Blankenship. “You can sit here and nitpick but I didn’t think our kids

quit. They knew what they were biting off.

We could’ve stayed down in our division and spread our chest out a bit. They wanted a challenge.”

Aptos, which won its sixth straight Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League title this season, made winning CCS championships mundane over the last three years and could have been the front runner for a fourth straight title if it had chosen to stay down in Division IV. Instead, the Mariners elected to move up to the Open and play with the big boys like Valley Christian and Palma.

“We rather play hard teams than go down and dominate the other division,” said senior defensive tackle Chris Ilar.

“No regrets. We tried our best. We gave everything.”

Ilar, who record a sack, and the rest of the Mariners’ defenders did all they could to stay in the game in the first two quarters but had the odds stacked against them.

The Warriors started a pair of drives at the Aptos 31 and 35 thanks to a short punt and a Charlie Bostic interception.

Both ended in Sturns rushing scores, giving Valley Christian a 14-0 lead at the break.

The Mariners defense again rose to the challenge and forced a Warriors punt to start the second half but a fumble at midfield on their next offensive possession gave Valley Christian the ball at the Aptos 44.

Aptos looked to have the Warriors stopped on a third-and-10 but senior quarterback Miles Kendrick did his best Russell Wilson impersonation by wiggling his way out of multiple tackles, running for 11 yards and picking up a backbreaking first down.

Three plays later, Sturns ran in from five

yards out to make it 21-0.

It was only downhill after that, as Glaum threw his second interception of the night while looking for Riccabona deep down the field. D’Angelo Mckenzie picked it off and returned it 40 yards down to the Aptos 7.

Kendrick hit sophomore tight end Skylar Loving-Black on the next play for a touchdown to all-but seal the win.

Aptos senior running backs Jack Wolf and Danner Pardue combined to run for 100 yards on 23 carries.

Wolf finished the season with 1,137 yards rushing, making him only the second Mariner to surpass 1,000 yards since the turn of the century.

Riccabona, meanwhile, finished with program records for career receiving yards (1,251) and receiving yards in a single season (870). He also set the record for receiving yards in a game (210) earlier this year.

But both of those playmakers will be gone next season. The Mariners will graduate 19 seniors, including 14 starters.

“It’s just sad that I won’t be able to play with these guys again,” Glaum said. “It’s been a fun time with them.”

Blankenship, who was given a trophy for recognition as a CCS Fall Sports Honor Coach before the start of the game, said he would be back for his eighth season with Aptos. He holds a 268-105-7 overall record in his 32 years as a head coach.

“I still love this,” said Blankenship, who has coached for 42 years overall. “It hasn’t crossed my mind, really…I just love this challenge. Tonight was a big challenge. It’s going be a great battle between them and Palma. I just wish we were in the battle.”

Aptos High senior quarterback Gavin Glaum (5) looks to pass during the first half of a CCS Aptos High senior linebacker Trenten Black (44) tackles Valley Christian High running back Isaiah Rodriguez (3) during the second half of their CCS Open Division III playoff game in San D-III playoff game against the Valley Christian Warriors in San Jose. Photo by Tony Nunez Jose. Photo by Tony Nunez

We’re free if you are!

Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito County residents are invited to visit

FREE during our Community Open House from

Saturday, December 3 through Sunday, December 11, 2016 Any of the following is accepted proof of residence: • Photo ID • Current student indentification from any university or community college located within these counties • Utility bills • Monterey Salinas Transit passes • Santa Cruz Metro and San Benito County Express monthly bus passes For information, please call 831-648-4800 montereybayaquarium.org/locals

December 2016

14 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

Dance: A catalyst for change Alternative fitness studio, Synergy, focuses on the holidays

By BEK PHILLIPS APTOS — Siblings Caitlin and Thomas Fahey built their alternative fitness studio around the idea that individual passions and interests should drive exercise, and in doing so say they have created a community.

The Faheys bought Synergy — Dance, Fitness and Tai Chi, 9055 Soquel Drive in Aptos, with the hopes of reflecting their individual passions: dancing and Tai Chi. Pursuing more philanthropic gains as well, they hosted a two-day fundraising event for Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services Dec. 2-3.

The dance studio and gym was acquired almost three years ago, and with a focus on adults, the attendees are as varied as the kinds of classes held there.

“You have people past 50, 60 years old dancing three, four times a week. There is no attitude here,” Fahey said. “It is not a typical dance studio, we focus on all adults and they enjoy a sense of community.”

And where there is community, she said there are friendships and acceptance.

“This is a close-knit, friendly positive group of people,” she said. “Definitely, our niche is group fitness-based. We’ve pulled in [people] who look out for one another in a special way that I think not all other fitness groups have.”

Johna Simon said Synergy was exactly what was needed. A passionate dancer since her youth, Simon said while her talents aligned more with being enthusiastic, it has always played a role in her life. But injury, and struggles with suicidal thoughts and depression, eventually kept her home.

“I was desperately searching for a rope to pull me out of the rabbit hole,” she said of the time before she found Synergy. “That year I watched the dancers stream in and

out of the studio, and I remembered who I used to be. And how much I loved to dance. I wanted to be them so badly it hurt.”

So one day in October 2014, she said she gathered all of her courage and walked into a class at Synergy.

“When I was at my lowest — so sick and a complete mess — I walked in and it was life-changing,” Simon said. “The minute I walked in the door I was welcomed, and an hour later I knew this klutz was home.”

But in addition to dance, fitness plays a huge role in what goes on at the studio.

Both Faheys are certified personal trainers, and new programs are currently being developed by both siblings. To date, Caitlin Fahey has been teaching for more than half her life — almost 18 years.

“I am a lifelong dancer, I’ve been compelled since I was a small child. It’s my passion,” Fahey said. “It’s part of my identity. Dance has always had my back, it’s always been there.”

That passion she takes and uses to promote physical activity. Her mission, she said, is to show people they can have fun and enjoy exercise by using dance.

“It’s not a one size fits all thing,” she said. “[Exercise] doesn’t have to be painful or something you don’t enjoy.”

And at least for Simon, this holds true.

“I have lost more than 70 pounds, started smiling again, and now I am actually working for them as a volunteer,” she said.

“I truly believe Synergy saved my life.

The process of getting more healthy and focusing on the complete mindset around health, that is what Synergy is all about, it’s like a 360.”

Focusing on the holiday season, Fahey is not only hosting the fundraiser but a Holiday Challenge as well to help people with their seasonal goals.

“This is a goal of health and contentment; the holidays are a great catalyst,” she said.

“The idea is to empower yourself and ask questions, checking in with yourself instead of feeling guilty.”

And as far as her mission for her studio, she said she is proud of the people who have picked up her message.

“I am really proud of the fact that there aren’t any attitudes,” she said. “Everyone has such different personal experiences and they come here and can let go of some of that. Everybody has something like dance — a healthy habit they can develop.”

••• For information on Synergy, including their holiday challenge, fundraiser and classes, visit synergymoves.com.

A dancer’s moves are accentuated by a painted silhouette on the wall at Synergy — Dance, Fitness and Tai Chi in Aptos.

Photo by Bek Phillips

During a group fitness dance class, people follow along with instructor Caitlin Fahey (far left) at Synergy — Dance, Fitness and Tai Chi. Photo by Bek Phillips

December 2016

LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 15

Kelly Pleskunas, owner of Kelly’s Books in Watsonville Square, and Carol Bennett have been busy setting up the business after moving from across Main Street. Photo by Tarmo Hannula

A new chapter Kelly’s Books — formerly Crossroads Books — opens

By TODD GUILD WATSONVILLE — After getting displaced from its former location seven months ago, the only bookstore south of Santa Cruz, reopened on Dec. 3, just in time for the Christmas shopping season.

Kelly’s Books, which was called Crossroads Books, is tucked into the Watsonville Square Shopping Center, alongside Nob Hill grocery store.

Owner Kelly Pleskunas was busy recently before the opening, unpacking boxes, shelving books, and hanging artwork. She said that her new store will offer “books for all ages and all prices,” and that special orders can be in the store within a day.

Pleskunas will also have locally made, non-perishable food products for sale, and is also hoping to attract local artists who want to display their art for sale there.

She also has local Watsonville products such as postcards and mugs.

Pleskunas will also bring back the book club from her last bookstore.

When she was displaced from the Crossroads Shopping Center in March, Pleskunas vowed to reopen in another location.

The move is a fortuitous one for Pleskunas, who said the Watsonville Square location brings far more traffic.

“The reality is that I always wanted to be in this shopping center,” she said.

To Pleskunas, bookstores are more than places to purchase books.

They are places to catch up on local gossip and current events, and to see friends.

“I came back because I missed my friends,” she said. “I just can’t wait to see everyone again.”

“This is my new chapter,” Pleskunas said.

••• Kelly’s Books is located at 1838 Main St. in Watsonville Square.

The hours are 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday. It can be reached at 728-4139.

Mount Madonna’s Middle School Production of...

December 10 & 11 at 2:00pm

Tickets available at: http://mmspirates2016.bpt.me Adults: $16 18 and under:

$11

All seats reserved.

MountMadonnaSchool.org Hawks’ Nest Theater, Mount Madonna School

December 2016

16 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

Photos by Erik Chalhoub

Aptos honors individuals, businesses CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart (right) speaks about the Sheriff’s Office, which received the Community Hero award, as Leonard Santana of the Aptos Chamber listens in.

Tony Robinson of S. Martinelli & Company accepts the Sustainable Business of the Year award on behalf of the company.

The Aptos Chamber of Commerce presented its annual awards dinner and auction at Seascape Beach Resort on Nov. 4.

Woman of the Year Kate Minott, who serves on the Santa Cruz County Parks & Recreation Commission, shares a laugh with Assemblyman Mark Stone. Photo by Erik Chalhoub

Mary Russell of the Aptos Mural Committee is introduced by Rep. Sam Farr. The Aptos Mural Committee was recognized with the Outstanding Achievement award, and Farr received Lifetime Achievement.

Man of the Year Steven Allen hugs Santa Cruz County Supervisor Zach Friend after receiving the award. Photo by Erik Chalhoub

John Fuchs (right) introduces Scott and Sandy Dexel, owners of Kiss Catering, the Small Business of the Year. Photo by Erik Chalhoub

A group of supporters stand in front of Danny and Sydney Altano, founders of Friends Cure CF, which received Organization of the Year. The organization raises funds for Cystic Fibrosis research.

December 2016

LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 17

December 2016

18 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

APTOS

SOQUEL

CAPITOLA

DECEMBER Dec. 6

Dec. 8

Dec. 9

December Mixer

December Breakfast Meeting

Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting

The Aptos Chamber of Commerce will hold its December Breakfast meeting at Best Western Seacliff Inn from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Michelle Rodriguez, the new PVUSD Superintendent, will be the guest speaker. Admission is $20 for members and $25 for non-members.

For information, call 688-1467.

Off the Block Snow Cream & Bubble Tea will be holding a ribbon cutting to celebrate their grand opening from 3-4 p.m. The new business is located in the Capitola Mercantile in Capitola Village. For information, call 854-7669.

The Aptos Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Holiday Mixer.

There will be food, a holiday raffle featuring locally-made items and music. The event will be held from 5-7 p.m. at Seascape Resort.

Tickets are $5 for members and $10 for non-members. For information, call 688-1467.

Dec. 10-11

Dec. 16

‘The Pirates of Penzance Jr.’

Elementary Winter Concert

Presented by Mount Madonna’s middle school students, two seperate 2 p.m. matinees will be held at Mount Madonna School’s lower gym in Watsonville. Tickets are $16 for adults and $11 for anyone under 18. and are available online at mountmadonnaschool.org.

The public is invited to Mount Madonna School’s Elementary Winter Concert, 7 p.m. Featuring multi-cultural, celebratory holiday songs and dance presented by students preschool through grade five. Admission is free. Mount Madonna School is located on 491 Summit Road, Mount Madonna. For information, www.

MountMadonnaSchool.org.

Youth Strings The Cabrillo Youth Strings Music Program presents a fall chamber music recital featuring music from baroque to jazz. The concert, which is performed by local youth, will be held at the Cabrillo College VAPA 5148 Music Building at 7 p.m. Donations will be accepted at the door. For information, call 479-6101.

APTOS

SOQUEL

CAPITOLA

Dec. 10 Breakfast with Santa

This annual event will take place at the Chaminade Resort & Spa from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. It includes a holiday breakfast buffet and a visit from Santa. Children and adults of all ages welcome. Tickets are $36.95 for adults, $17.95 for children 6 to 12 and $11.95 for children 6 and under. Overnight packages are also available. To reserve a spot, call 475-5600 or visit chaminade.com.

Ongoing BFF Boutique Happy Hour

The BFF Boutique hosts a double discount day every Wednesday through the end of the year in the Mercantile, Capitola. For information, visit www.facebook. com/bfffashionboutique or call 2518356.

Suicide Depression Support Group

This peer support group is for anyone who has experienced suicidal depression. It meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of the month at Soquel Congregational Church, 4951 Soquel Drive. For information, call 566-1191.

Public Meetings All meetings take place at Capitola City Hall 420 Capitola Ave.

Dec. 1

Planning Commission, 7 p.m.

Dec. 6

Museum Board, 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 8

City Council, 6 p.m.

Dec. 13

Library Advisory Committee, 3:30 p.m.

Arts & Cultural Commission, 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 14

Architectural & Site Review, 3:30 p.m.

Commission on the Environment — Workshop, 6 p.m.

December 2016

LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 19

OVER 800 VARIETIES

In Santa Cruz Findings

World of Stones & Mystics 835 Front St. (831) 316-5159

COME IN FOR A LUBE, OIL, FILTER • TIRE ROTATION • MULTI POINT INSPECTION • EXTERIOR CAR WASH FOR JUST

3495

$

and receive a certificate to have the SAME service done on your next visit for FREE!

THAT MAKES 2 SERVICES FOR 1 LOW PRICE *Offer includes up to 6 quarts conventional motor oil. Valid on most makes and models. Synthetic Oil and Diesel vehicles may be slightly higher. Price does not include sales tax or hazardous removal fees.

Offer expires 1/31/17. Must present coupon at time of purchase.

831.722.3522 500 AUTO CENTER DR., WATSONVILLE 95076 WWW.WATSONVILLEGM.COM

Antiques & Collectibles

New & Vintage Jewelry 1533 Pacific Avenue Santa Cruz, CA 95060 • Open Daily 11–6

Host your next event at one of our facilities!

City of Watsonville Parks and Community Service Department 831-768-3240

(831) 458-9131 We buy single items & estates

www.watsonvillerec.com • Office Hours: M-Fri 9am-4pm

Golf Range & Tap House

101 Ranport Road Watsonville, CA

Off HWY 1 at Airport Blvd. http://www.pacificgolfcenters.com/ Best practice facility in the county.

Don’t just drive by, stop by and enjoy a cold brew! $5 OFF any purchase excluding alcohol Valid through 6/30/16

Open 7 days a week 7AM-8:30PM

Do you want to drink treated sewage water?

To the Editor,

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@registerpajaronian.com, or dropped off at the Register-Pajaronian, 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.

APTOS

SOQUEL

CAPITOLA

The Soquel Creek Water District management and Board of Directors are moving full speed ahead with a plan to inject treated sewage water directly into the groundwater that all who live in the areas between La Selva Beach and Live Oak depend upon. This is the District’s answer to remedy the critical overdraft conditions of the Purisima Aquifer that have come about due to pumping too much water out of the ground without necessary natural replenishment. The result is sea water creeping inland and causing irreparable damage to our drinking water supply.

On Wednesday, Dec. 7, Soquel Creek Water District will hold two public hearings at Twin Lakes Baptist Church (near Cabrillo College) in Building 700 to allow the public to discuss the environmental impacts of this proposed project. The first session is 2-4 p.m. and the second session is 6-8 p.m. District staff states the same information will be presented at both sessions. All members of the public, not just Soquel Creek Water District customers, need to attend if at all possible to register comments regarding the scope of the Environmental Impact Report that is required.

Citizens may find the preliminary study on the District’s website: www. soquelcreekwater.org and look for “Pure Water Soquel” information. The document available is 48 pages long, but is definitely worth examination and comment. I have reviewed the document and question the depth of the injection wells, the seismic and liquefaction stated as potentially damaging (the three locations are Cabrillo College, Willowbrook Park and Monterey Street/Kennedy Drive), and I also question how injected sewage water would be monitored to meet the two-month holding time in the aquifer before pumping. Also tribal artifacts will be destroyed.

I urge all private well owners and small water company owners/ customers to weigh in on this proposed project to inject treated sewage water directly into the aquifer that serves us all. Why is it not being put to ballot vote for everyone to have a voice regarding what goes into the water we all depend on? That is what I feel is needed, and I plan to begin a citizen’s initiative to do just that if Soquel Creek Water District and the Santa Cruz MidCounty Groundwater Agency continue to refuse multiple requests by many for such a ballot measure.

As a Stanford researcher recently

told the District Board at a special meeting on salt water intrusion, there are just too many things in the waste stream that cannot be dealt with. I agree. Minute amounts of pharmaceuticals could cause unknown health effects, potentially negative, on certain segments of the population.

Directly injecting the treated waste water into the drinking supply offers no safety margin for human or technological errors or malfunctions.

The Stanford researcher showed that surface percolation ponds in the Seaside area are very effective at pushing the salt water back out of the aquifer. So, why can’t we create a series of such ponds that would naturally filter the treated sewage water as well as storm water and recharge the aquifer? Soil microflora are excellent at cleaning up contaminants of concern before the water reaches the depths of pumping from local wells. Think about it ... there could even be houseboats on the ponds for students studying wetland rehabilitation, geology and hydrology. Why not? If ever there were a time when we need to think creatively, it is now.

Becky Steinbruner Aptos

SHOP WHERE THE CONTRACTORS & GROWERS DO! • Water & Septic Tanks • Water & Sewage Pumps • Drainage Pipe

• Erosion Control • Drip & Sprinkler Systems • Water Systems

• Technically Trained Staff • Case Quantities • Competitive Pricing • Commercial, AG & Residential • Huge Inventory, Best Selection • Friendly & Professional • Big Sizes – Pipe, Fittings & Service Valves

SCOTTS VALLEY SPRINKLER & PIPE SUPPLY 131 WALKER STREET, WATSONVILLE (LOCATED NEXT TO DIXON TIRE) 831-728-0446 OPEN 7 DAYS