LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola, Soquel

Sports Page 12

Restaurant review Page 14

APTOS

FEBRUARY 2015

SOQUEL

CAPITOLA EVERYTHING APTOS, CAPITOLA & SOQUEL

Vol. 3 No. 7

Thrift store’s donations grow

Caroline’s donates $240,000 to local organizations

By ERIK CHALHOUB

Work on replacing the La Selva rail trestle is nearing completion. Recently, workers installed rail

ties to make way for new steel rails. Photo by Tarmo Hannula

APTOS — During its first year in 2011, Caroline’s Non-Profit Thrift Shop donated $40,000 to four organizations that serve children with special needs.

But it didn’t stop there, and the numbers grew — substantially.

The next year, the amount tripled to $120,000, and the number of beneficiaries grew as well. The year 2013 hit the $200,000 mark, and now, the final number for 2014 is tallied at $240,000.

The shop presented more than 15 local organizations with the donation during a gifting reception Jan. 18 at the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County.

The thrift store was founded in memory of owner Christy Licker’s daughter, Caroline, who died at 16.

The “core four” organizations the store donates to — Children’s Hospice and Palliative Care Coalition, Hospice of Santa Cruz County, Jacob’s Heart, and Special Parents Information Network — were chosen because Licker and Caroline had been involved with them, she said.

Please turn to Page 7

Consumers could get fried by new egg law

HISTORY CORNER

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

Advocates say chickens getting better treatment

By TODD GUILD APTOS — Even before California’s new law mandating humane treatment of chickens went into effect Jan. 1, Aptos-based Glaum Egg Ranch allowed their chickens to roam free, a decision company founders say both followed the company’s philosophy of humane treatment and met community principles of animal rights.

“We’re cage-free already,” said Dorothy Glaum, one of the company founders. “We believe in treating them humanely. It just makes sense.”

As a result, the company will have to do little to comply with the new law, which requires chicken ranchers to give their chickens room to spread their wings, and requires imported eggs to come from producers that follow the same rules.

Still, as the law went into effect, the egg industry was sounding the alarm that egg prices are expected to rise by as much as 70 percent as farmers struggle to meet the requirements.

Also known as Proposition 2, the new rules state that chickens are each legally entitled to at least 116 square inches of floor space and must be able to stretch, turn around and flap their wings.

Sheriff Jim Hart (left) is given the oath of office by Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Paul Marigonda Jan. 5 at Cabrillo College. Photo by Todd Guild

Hart becomes 26th county sheriff

This old house

APTOS — The ceremony officially making Jim Hart the Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jan. 5 was packed with county and city politicians, law enforcement officials from districts throughout the county, superior court judges and lawyers of every ilk.

An auspicious gathering to be sure.

But the location carried a special significance for Hart, who spent the early part of his 25-year career with the sheriff’s office leading the substation at Cabrillo College.

A romantic getaway first brought us to Aptos in the mid-1970s. My sweetheart and I were staying in Seascape and we dined at a small, nearly hidden restaurant called Charles Dickens. In fact the parking area and all of the small businesses around it were called Charles Dickens Square. All I remember about the restaurant was the blue and white checkered table cloths.

After Karen and I moved here a French restaurant opened in the same location in 1983 called Chez Renee. It became one of the finest restaurants in the county. The owners, Jack and Renee Chyle, were tired of their Silicon Valley corporate lifestyle so Jack sold his Corvette to pay for tuition to the California Culinary Academy and Renee became the maître d’ running the front of the house.

Please turn to Page 6

Please turn to Page 6

Began his career in 1988

By TODD GUILD

Please turn to Page 6

BRENT GARVEY PAINTING Celebrating 25 Years

nt terior Pai Special 10% Off Interior & Ex

Inside ...

Green lanes........................ 2 Learn to Discover................3 Briefs ...............................4-5 Guest columns..................11 PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID WATSONVILLE, CA PERMIT NO. 23 ******ECRWSSEDDM****** POSTAL CUSTOMER APTOS, CA 95003 CAPITOLA. CA 95010

February 2015

2 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

Bike lanes going green

By TARMO HANNULA SOQUEL — New green bike lanes are sprouting up in Santa Cruz County. The green pavement marking in bikes lanes have been installed in Soquel Village and in downtown Santa Cruz as part of a national trend to highlight the presence of bicyclists and clearly mark bicycle zones on surface roads shared by motorists.

The thermoplastic coating, applied to the roadway, is designed to simply highlight the path of people on bikes, said Amelia Conlen, director of People Power, a nonprofit advocacy group for bicycle safety.

“The first green lanes were installed in Soquel in November as a pilot project for our county,” Conlen said. “Since Soquel Creek Water District was working a water main project in Soquel the green lanes were installed as part of that job.”

Similarly, in Santa Cruz, public works crews have been resurfacing and cleaning up a large swath of Laurel Street near Front

L S

Photo shows joy of nature To the Editor, Bike lanes in Soquel have been highlighted with new green pavement markings.

Photo by Tarmo Hannula

Street and Pacific Avenue downtown. The green lane project was cobbled in with the repaving project.

“We are very excited about this project,” Conlen said. “The City of Santa Cruz Public Works did a great job of researching green lanes. There are places in San Francisco where the entire lanes are painted green, which is very expensive. We are going with green striping, which is also very effective, but less costly.”

Conlen said the green lanes, which do not change the rules of the road, are particularly useful in marking merge or “conflict” zones where bicycle lanes and motor lanes cross one another or merge.

“Green lanes are designed to remind drivers to look for bikes and be aware of their specific lanes, particularly in heavily travelled intersections,” Conlen said.

Current traffic laws and operation remain the same in bike lanes with green pavement markings. There are three pertinent bike lane rules that drivers and bicyclists should know:

• It is legal for vehicles to drive over bike lanes when making a turn or parking; this includes locations with green pavement markings.

• When the green pavement marking in the bike lane is dashed, rather than solid green, it means that this is a Merge Zone where drivers may cautiously enter to make a turn.

• When drivers are turning right at a bike lane, they should signal before entering the Merge Zone, yield to bicyclists in the bike lane and complete their turn when safe to do so.

“One of the best places for green bike lanes are freeway entrances, like Freedom Boulevard,” Conlen said. “We would like to see these treatments (green pavement markings) throughout the county and we would love to hear from the public about where they think bicycle safety improvements can be made.”

Conlen can be reached at 425-0665 or director@peoplepowersc.org.

LOCALLY owned and operated! 816 Bay Ave. across from Nob Hill

Todd Guild, Tony Nuñez, Tarmo Hannula

Photography - Tarmo Hannula Advertising Sales

Tina Chavez, Susie Ronzano, Allison Stenberg

FOR

Publisher - John Bartlett General Manager - Amy Bartlett Editor - Erik Chalhoub Editorial

✓Heated Swimming Pool ✓Water Aerobics Everyday! ✓Hot Tub, Steam Room, Sauna ✓Spin Cycling Classes ✓Zumba Classes ✓Yoga & Chair Yoga Classes ✓Circuit & Stretch Classes ✓Cardio/Strength Equipment ✓FREE Personal Training ✓Pilates Fusion Classes

2 1 50 MENT!! &

ENROLL

% OFF

Hurry offer Expires 1/31/15. Some restrictions may apply.*

JOIN NOW AND RECEIVE 3-PERSONAL TRAINING SESSIONS!

✓Silver Sneaker Classes ✓Cardio Muscle & Much More!

Production - Daryl Nelson Design - Mike Lyon

Baja Joes Aptos

St. John’s Helpful Shop 60 years and still going To the Editor, St.John’s Helpful Shop has been part of this community since 1953.

It is staffed completely by dedicated volunteers. Proceeds are awarded to nonprofit organizations on an annual basis. The shop operates as a vital part of the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist outreach program, located at 125 Canterbury Drive in Aptos.

We recently painted and gave this little shop a “face lift” and are currently seeking new donations to fill our shelves. Please remember us after an Estate Sale, yard sale or if you are moving. We would be happy to pick up the donated items.

You can either call the shop 475-0957 or call the volunteer co-managers, Loris 3347978 or Leslie 688-2003.

St. John’s Helpful Shop

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

info@aptoslife.com

Thank you for reading!

Why did you choose to print only the negative regarding the picture of the small child running after seagulls on the beach?

Evidently those writers cannot recall or have no memories of the joy of youth discovering and enjoying nature’s natural wonder and beauty.

I looked at that picture and thought of how nice it was to be a child discovering nature.

Those who complain about that lovely picture are probably the same types that complain when they are wished a “Merry Christmas!”

Some folks have really misguided priorities in life. Get over it!

Pilates & Yoga Classes...

Personal Training...

Spin Cycling...

Capitola Fitness • 816 Bay Avenue - across from Nob Hill

475-1500 • www.CapitolaFitness.com

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 echalhoub@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.

Th File

February 2015

LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 3

Learn to Discover celebrates opening of new Science, Technology and Innovation Center

By VALERIE LEMKE CAPITOLA — The Capitola Mall is now home to a new center where kids can take classes to learn the latest in technology and science, while experiencing it in a hands-on setting.

The local nonprofit, Learn to Discover, celebrated the grand opening of their new Science, Technology & Innovation Center in November, located within the Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery inside of the Capitola Mall. The center provides classes that give kids real technology experiences that spark their interest, as well as to give them an opportunity to explore what their future careers might hold for them.

Learn to Discover is a local nonprofit organization created and run by locals Brian and Shelly Laschkewitsch of La Selva Beach. The nonprofit is dedicated to teaching the latest and greatest in technology education to area children and youth. Though the center is located inside of the museum, it is a separate entity that has shared and similar goals.

“We are a separate nonprofit organization, but helped the museum design some of their technology area exhibits.” said Shelly Laschkewitsch, vice president and teacher.

“Learn to Discover extends the learning experiences provided by SCCMOD by offering in-depth workshops, classes and events for older children and adults.”

Learn to Discover has been teaching workshops to Central Coast children and youth for more than seven years and has branched out over this time to teach classes

at 18 different sites in three counties at various schools, libraries and community centers.

Now, with the addition of their own site, they are able to focus on smaller class sizes to provide more individualized learning at this center, as well as to increase the number of classes. They will also offer maker-style workshops, special events and club options on-site. Though they will still continue to grow and add more off-site locations and classes, the new center will bring some unique opportunities to local kids and their families.

“We can now offer a large variety of classes such as programming, robotics, 2-D animation, video game design, clay animation, simple machines, digital photography, engineering and much more, seven days a week.” said Laschkewitsch.

“In addition, we offer classes for Girl and Boy Scouts, makers, homeschoolers, school field trips, corporate events, birthday parties, and personally designed classes.

One of the more recent trends in technology education has been toward a “maker-style” type of learning. The makerstyle classes teach the concepts of how to make and build things yourself, instead of being a consumer and relying on others to make them for you. The idea is to build it yourself, even creating new inventions or ideas along the way.

“Maker classes help children learn to become producers and not just consumers.

We help children bring out their creativity and learn to be innovators and problem solve while learning to use new and

Shelly Laschkewitsch assists a parent and students with building their project.

Photo by Valerie Lemke

upcoming tools such as 3D printers, unique robots, soft circuits, wearable art, etc.” said Laschkewitsch.

Learn to Discover also emphasizes career exploration in their learning programs, and they incorporate this into their classes.

Kids are given the opportunity to explore the many different careers choices in these fields, even before they are in high school.

The organization plans to continue growing and expanding their off-site classes as well, with the hopes of providing more opportunities for children and youth to receive education in technology and science based fields.

To find out out more or to see registration and class schedule information, visit learntodiscover.org.

Business showcase marks 30 years

Mall-goers browse booths set up by county businesses at the Business Showcase put on by the Capitola/Soquel and Aptos chambers of commerce in 2014. File photo by Erik Chalhoub

The Surfing Magician Doug Hofkins puts on a show at the expo in 2014.

File photo by Erik Chalhoub

By ERIK CHALHOUB CAPITOLA — The annual Business Showcase presented by the Aptos and Capitola-Soquel chambers of commerce is a way for local businesses to promote themselves to the community they serve.

And it’s been doing so for 30 years.

The 2015 Business Showcase, “Passport to Success,” will be held Feb. 19 from 4-7 p.m. at the Capitola Mall on 41st Avenue.

Karen Hibble, co-executive director of the Aptos Chamber, said a variety of businesses, live demonstrations, food and more is in store for guests this year.

“It’s a great way for people to come and learn about their local community,” she said. “There’s all kinds of fun things to do and see and learn.”

Currently, nearly 150 local businesses

and community organizations will participate, with limited spaces still available, Hibble said.

Live demonstrations include dance, physical therapy, healthy cooking and more. A food pavilion will feature local restaurants such as Shadowbrook, Sanderlings and more.

Technology companies will introduce new products, Hibble said, and the Soquel Creek Water District will be on hand to promote water conservation.

For this year’s theme, “Passport to Success,” guests will be given a “passport” when they enter the mall. For each business’ booth they visit, they will receive a stamp, and will be eligible for a prize.

The event is free and open to the public.

For information, call 688-1467.

Now an Authorized

Dealer!

Watsonville

831-722-0334

285 W. BEACH ST.

Santa Cruz

831-477-7133

3700 SOQUEL AVE.

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

WE DELIVER

February 2015

4 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

CABRILLO COLLEGE

CAPITOLA POLICE

BEGONIA FESTIVAL

Begonia Festival seeks poster art Staff report

Work by Linda Vallejo is on display at the Cabrillo College Gallery. Contributed photo

Cabrillo opens new art exhibit Staff report APTOS — Cabrillo College announces its newest group art exhibition, “Aqui Estamos/We Are Here: California Chican@ Art,” which will run through Feb. 27 at the Cabrillo Gallery, located in the Cabrillo College Library building, room 1002 on the Aptos campus (6500 Soquel Drive).

An artists’ reception will be held on Saturday, Feb. 7 from 5:30-7 p.m. An artist’s lecture and film screening of the film “A Life of Engagement” will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m.

The exhibition features work by 13 artists with a shared Mexican American experience. The show includes a range of styles and media, ranging from realistic imagery to abstract work confronting issues such as racism, immigration and socioeconomics.

“Aqui Estamos” includes work from Abel Alejandre, Linda Arreola, Eduardo Carrillo, Enrique Chagoya, Juan Fuentes, Lorraine García-Nakata, Amanda Lopez, Jose Lozano, Viviana Paredes, Shizu Saldamando, Leigh Salgado, Manuel Santana, and Linda Vallejo.

Officer Brantly Sandretti (right) is congratulated by Police Chief Rudy Escalante. Photo by City of Capitola

New police officer sworn in Staff report CAPITOLA — The Capitola Police Department welcomed Officer Brantly Sandretti to its sworn ranks of patrol on Jan. 7.

Sandretti started his career with the City of Capitola in 2011 as a temporary Parking Enforcement Officer and as a volunteer Explorer. He would later become a full time Community Service Officer patrolling the Village and Esplanade area.

Sandretti attended the Basic Police Academy as a non-affiliate and then completed the training program to become a Reserve Police Officer. He has been working as a Reserve Officer since June 2014.

Sandretti fills the vacancy left by the retirement of Sgt. Matt Eller.

Sandretti lives in Santa Cruz and was accompanied at the swearing in by his father and several close family members and friends.

The Rusty Gate home-floral-garden-gifts

The Rusty Gate is happy to introduce

The Rusty Gate Garden*

Just in time for Valentines Day *formally Twig & Petal flowers

Pre-order your Valentine’s Day arrangement by February 10 and receive 10% off.

883 41st Avenue, Santa Cruz

•

831-471-8166

CAPITOLA — The Capitola Begonia Festival Committee is inviting all local artists to submit a piece of art to serve as the official poster for the 63rd Annual Capitola Begonia Festival.

The committee has selected “Beach Blanket Begonias” as the theme for 2015. Although the artwork does not necessarily have to include the theme, selection does traditionally favor it.

A list of all past themes and posters can be found at www.begoniafestival.com.

The finished poster will measure 18 by 24 inches and both vertical and horizontal images will be considered.

All mediums will be accepted. The Begonia Festival Committee will select the graphics for the poster.

In addition to the poster art, finished art may be used in production of collateral materials, advertising, and apparel. If selected, the artist will be asked to sign a waiver allowing the Begonia Festival to use all or part of the art on the various pieces associated with the festival.

By providing the Capitola Begonia Festival the rights to use the artwork for posters, merchandising and publicity, the selected artist will receive a $500 check, 75 of the posters the Capitola Begonia Festival produces for sale, and a bio write-up in the Begonia Festival program and website.

Delivery of submissions to the Capitola Chamber of Commerce, 716-G Capitola Ave. in Capitola, will be required during the week of March 27–April 3.

For information, contact Gail Wingert at 295-1622 or gailjw831@gmail.com.

February 2015

LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 5

RISPIN MANSION

CHOWDER COOK-OFF

RED CROSS

Red Cross seeks nominations for Hero Awards Staff report Brittany Crass and Jeff Greer, members of team Affordable Clam Act, prepare 10 gallons of Boston Clam Chowder in 2014. File photo by Todd Guild

Chefs needed for Chowder Cook-Off

The City of Capitola will hold a workshop to discuss the Rispin Mansion. File photo by Tarmo Hannula

Workshop to discuss Rispin Mansion plans

Staff report

CAPITOLA — The City of Capitola will hold a public workshop to discuss plans for the Rispin Mansion Park on Wharf Road and Clares Street.

The first of two workshops will be held in the Community Room at the Capitola City Hall, 420 Capitola Ave., on Saturday, Feb. 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The focus of the workshop will be to define and develop conceptual uses for the park site adjacent to the historic Rispin Mansion.

For information, contact the City of Capitola at 4757300.

Staff report SANTA CRUZ — Registration is open for the 34th Annual Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Cook-Off and Festival at the Boardwalk on Saturday, Feb. 21. The registration deadline for chefs has been extended until Feb. 9.

A panel of judges will determine the Best Manhattan and Best Boston Clam Chowders in both Individual and Professional categories. There are also awards for People’s Choice, and Most Tasted Clam Chowders. Prizes include airline tickets, cash and wall plaques.

The team entry fee is $50, or $75 for cooking professionals (restaurants, caterers, and food services.) For information, entry forms, and rules, visit www.beachboardwalk.com/ clamchowder/ or call Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation at 420-5273.

All proceeds from the Santa Cruz Clam Chowder CookOff benefit the City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Department. Last year the event attracted 65 entries and thousands of chowder fans, bringing in $60,890 for Parks and Recreation Department programs. The popular event has raised $1,145,125 for Parks & Recreation programs since it started in 1981.

Admission to the “rain or shine” Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Cook Off & Festival is free. Visitors can watch chefs prepare their special chowders, and for $9 taste up to five different clam chowders as well as vote for the People’s Choice winner. Cooking begins at 10 a,m,, tasting starts at 1 p.m., and winners are announced at 4 p.m.

ranich Marty F p u o r G Auto

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — The American Red Cross of the Central Coast is currently seeking nominations for the 2015 Central Coast Hero Awards, which recognizes members of the local community who have shown courage, dedication, and character through acts of heroism and kindness.

The community is encouraged to nominate a hero at redcross.org/centralcoastheroes for one of the following categories: • Animal Rescue Hero • Education Hero • Good Samaritan • Law Enforcement Hero • Lifetime Achievement Hero • Medical Professional Hero • Military Hero • Rescue Professional Hero • Workplace Hero • Youth Hero The deadline to submit nominations is Saturday, Feb. 28.

The 2015 Central Coast Hero Award recipients will be selected by a committee of local community leaders based on the degree to which their acts of heroism uphold the values of the American Red Cross and leave a lasting and positive impact on the residents of the Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties.

Criteria for nominations: • Nominees must work or reside in Monterey, San Benito or Santa Cruz counties.

• The heroic act does not need to have occurred in Monterey, San Benito or Santa Cruz counties.

• Nominees for the Hero Award must have performed an act or acts of courage to save or attempt to save someone’s life.

• The heroic act must have occurred between Jan. 1, 2014 and Dec. 31, 2014.

The selected heroes will be honored at the 2015 Central Coast Heroes Breakfast on Wednesday, May 13 at the Cocoanut Grove.

For information, visit redcross.org/centralcoastheroes.

! u o Y r o F y s a E

Making It...

FRANICH CHRYSLER DODGE • JEEP • RAM 555 Auto Center Dr. Watsonville

724 - 2463

martyfranich.com Se Habla Español

Special Financing

Your only LINCOLN Dealer FRANICH FORD • LINCOLN

550 Auto Center Dr. Watsonville

722 - 4181

franichford.com

✔Huge r model clearance Rebat a e y f o d es ✔L En ow APR ✔Great Lease Rates ✔ /FranichFord

Mon. - Fri. 8-7 ★ Sat. 9-6 ★ Sun. 10-6

FULL SERVICE DEALERSHIP • Collision Repair Experts • Voted #1 in the Pajaro Valley

February 2015

6 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

History Corner

Continued from page 1

I have always been interested in sailing and I had inherited a small 14-foot sailboat in bad condition in which I invested vast amounts of time and money trying to bring it back to mint condition. I helped West Marine prosper by buying lots of hardware for the boat, especially top-of-the-line Harken brand fittings. On Aug. 1, 1996, who should walk through the door of our Chamber office and fledging museum but Peter and Olaf Harken, owners of Harken Yacht Equipment. They were in town on business with West Marine in Watsonville.

What does this have to do with our story?

Peter, Olaf and their mother lived in Aptos during World War II. They and their father had lived in Indonesia, which was invaded by the Japanese. Their father managed a rubber plantation or petroleum facility (I don’t remember which) and stayed behind to destroy what he could so the Japanese could not use it. He became a prisoner of war.

The boys and their mother escaped on American freighters and came to Aptos and lived with a 60-year-old Dutch woman in a house overlooking Valencia Creek with redwoods.

They remembered the cement ship fishing pier and the army from Camp McQuaid doing beach landings and maneuvers on Rio Del Mar beach. They even got to ride on Army personnel carriers. They remember the hamburger restaurant in the Sea Breeze building at the Esplanade and how cute the owner’s

Egg Law

daughter was.

They were reunited with their father in San Francisco after the war and moved to Wisconsin where they started a marine supply company. They had not been back to Aptos for 53 years. They were not able to recognize the building where they stayed but some sleuthing uncovered that the home had become the restaurant at 9051 Soquel Drive in Charles Dickens Square.

The original home where the Harkens stayed was built on three acres in 1927

by Martin Jongeneel. It had a circular driveway and a large basement. The home was called Beth-Mar. Martin was a horticulturalist and had a rhododendron and azalea nursery on the property. There was a greenhouse and lath house to the east. There was an orchard to the west and the neighbor had a fox farm called Kitty Rich Furs. Martin died in 1931.

Martin’s wife was born Elizabeth Vankaathoven in Holland and came to the United States in 1889. Her home was always open to everyone She taught piano to many of the local children. Elizabeth passed away in Santa Cruz in 1955.

There were very few buildings along Soquel Drive in the 1920s. The Spreckels Ranch had just been sold and the first development was just beginning. The lot would have originally been sold to Martin Jongeneel by Amelia Arano, owner of the Bay View Hotel.

After the Jongeneels, the building

Jongeneel home 1941. Aptos History Museum collection

became a nursing home. It was stuccoed at that time. It was sold to J. D. Jacobsen in 1965 and from 1965 to 1969 it was used as a church, and then it was converted to commercial use.

After the restaurant Chez Renee closed, Ann and Charles Confer reopened it as Southern Exposure Bistro in June 2000.

In February 2005, Ma Maison restaurant took over the site. The French chef, Lionel Le Morvan trained under two French master chefs. His wife Janet grew up in Aptos.

Which brings us up to present day. The building has just completed a face lift and is home to the new Hideout, a restaurant

and cocktail establishment. There is a new entry with a beautiful redwood bar. The floors and restrooms have been redone and the place sparkles. Historical photographs on the walls were provided by the Aptos History Museum. The new owners are Pete and Lisa Vomvolakis, and Austin and Rachel Welch. Please stop in and treat yourself to a great time.

The Museum is holding a History Dinner about the building at the Hideout on Feb. 24 including new photos from Nancy Robinson’s collection, more about the Harkens and how Highway One changed its name. For reservations call 688-1467.

year phase-in period. Many squandered this time filing four unsuccessful lawsuits trying to block the law.

“Many farmers sat on their hands while the phase-in was occurring,” he said.

He added that, thanks to a well-financed campaign by the egg industry, voters were well aware that egg prices might increase when they passed the law.

Shapiro acknowledged that confining chickens to small cages helps farmers cut

expenses that would otherwise be passed on to consumers. But he said such costcutting moves have hidden effects, notably cruelty to the animals and increased diseases, as the chickens are confined in close proximity to their manure.

“Californians do not want birds cramped in small cages where they can’t spread their wings,” he said. “(They) were right to enact this law in 2008.”

Continued from page 1

The law passed in 2008, with more than 60 percent of the vote. An addendum passed by lawmakers in 2010 requires outof-state compliance.

Farmers say the rules have forced them to spend millions coming into compliance or cut their flock by as much as 50 percent, both of which they must then pass onto

consumers.

“If farmers haven’t done that yet, there could be a shortage,” Glaum said. “We have to play it out, and we will have to see.”

But Paul Shapiro, a spokesperson for the Humane Society of the United States, pointed out that the law gave farmers a six-

DO YOU HAVE OR NEED A

Medicare Supplement?

Turning 65 Soon?

Losing Group Insurance?

Need Individual or Family Coverage?

Don’t Pay More Than You Need To! Feedom to Choose or Keep your Doctors

Know ALL your options.

We are Your Local Agency Representing and Licensed by California’s Major Insurance Carriers

Is Your Plan Leaving the Area?

Review drug plans and New Health Plans with Lower Premiums

We Make it Easy...

Service Is At No Cost To You!

(Our office is located in the Rancho Del Mar Shopping Center above the Aptos Cinema)

Serving Santa Cruz County Since 2000 • Local is being there when you need us.

Jim Hart

Continued from page 1

“I love this campus,” Hart said during the ceremony. “I think it’s one of the hidden gems of the county.”

Hart has since managed every bureau within the SCSO, and received the endorsement of retired Sheriff Phil Wowak when he retired in March.

According to Hart’s wife Jackie Hart, it was the position as Cabrillo’s top law enforcement official that sparked his love for the administrative side of law enforcement.

Even before she met Hart when she was volunteer program coordinator at the Live Oak Service Center where Hart briefly worked, she said she heard from coworkers that he was not happy unless he was, “Mach 5 with his hair on fire,” a reference to his passion for hard work.

She described Hart as a dedicated father and family man who has rarely missed a milestone in his children’s lives despite a busy career.

Among other things, Hart said he plans to bring the Sheriff’s Office to full staffing, including in the jail system, where the realignment law has increased the population of inmates, parolees and probationers who must be managed. He also said he plans to focus on gang violence and hard drug sales, and has moved a detective to South County to focus on those issues.

Hart also said he plans to continue to be available, involved and engaged in the community, with county staff and with his own deputies.

“Every decision I make will be based on the safety of the community,” he said.

February 2015

LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 7

Join these

Businesses

in supporting

NON-PROFIT

ORGANIZATIONS

Taiko for Early Birds Learn to Drum with Breathing and Stretching!

Saturdays 9-10am Kizuka Hall

Find out how you can change lives at www.thefoodbank.org

150 Blackburn Street, Watsonville For more information call (831) 458-0448 or Email

info@watsonvilletaiko.org

Tools to Make Parenting Easier

First 5 Santa Cruz County triplep.first5scc.org 831.465.2217

Save America’s Classical Music for Future Generations!

Our Mission: To preserve our cultural treasure known as the Great American Songbook by presenting this music to the public at home and abroad as Ambassadors of Song.

Our purpose is to build an Organization to stand the test of time and continue this body of work for the next 100 years and beyond for public benefit.

You can help us achieve this mission with your generous donation!

We are looking for Donors who believe in this American Cultural Legacy and want their name or business associated with the American Songbook Preservation Society as we fulfill our mission.

The American Songbook

Preservation Society is a California Charitable Corporation, exempt from taxation under section 501 (C) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code. As such, your donations are fully tax-deductible as allowed by law Tax ID #56-241033.

“In a hundred to a hundred and fifty years from now, I believe that people will recognize the music of Gershwin and Ellington as the classical music of our time.”

– Tony Bennett

DONATE NOW @ www.GreatAmericanSongbook.org/donate or call 821.687.0278

Santa Cruz Artists

a non-profit online art market devoted to showcasing & selling the art of local

Santa Cruz County Artists

www.santacruzartists.com

Thrift Store

Looking for a feel good holiday gift idea?

Consider a donation to Ecology Action’s Bike Smart program and help us provide vital bike safety skills to local youth!

Your donation TODAY will help us serve over 3,000 local students in 2015.

Visit http://ecoact.org/donate

Language Travel

Host an international student and receive up to $2100!

CONTACT PATI TODAY pati.murray@ef.com (831) 428-3310 www.ef.com/host/santacruz

FROM TARA REDWOOD SCHOOL

WISHING YOU

Call 831.462.9632 to set up a tour Preschool Campus: 4746 Soquel Drive, Soquel CA 95073 Elementary Campus: 5810 Prescott, Soquel CA 95073

!

YEARS ING 46 T A R B E CEL

Continued from page 1

“I really believe in the work they are doing,” Licker said. “I hate that they have to spend so much time raising money.”

In addition to the core four organizations, Caroline’s also donated to Above the Line, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Santa Cruz County, CASA of Santa Cruz County, Coastal Kids Home Care and more.

The store’s fundraising mission has resonated with many in the county, she said, and people donate “really beautiful things,” including handmade crafts.

“Because everything stays local, and these organizations are so well known and do such good work, people bring us their stuff because they like to know where it’s going,” she said.

Licker said she is in escrow to purchase the property the store sits on. As of now, Caroline’s is housed in two small

buildings, in addition to three walk-through containers.

The long-term goal is to build a new structure on the property. Licker said the building would be paid for through fundraisers separate from its yearly philanthropic efforts.

Licker’s husband, Bill, said the amount Caroline’s Non-Profit Thrift Shop owner Christy Licker (right), with volunteer Virginia of donations has been extremely impressive Ledesma, show the amount of funds the shop has donated before Jan. 18’s gifting reception considering the small size of the store. boosted the numbers. Photo by Erik Chalhoub “It’s been a pretty amazing thing,” he “excellent pricing” with a “friendly staff.” said. “We’ve had such incredible support a newspaper.

“I love the whole story,” she said.

••• from the community. It’s been a labor of Theresa Mancillas was browsing through Caroline’s Non-Profit Thrift Shop is love for her.”

Caroline’s has a force of 55 regular the store on a recent Thursday. The Salinas located on 402 and 408 Trout Gulch Road volunteers, who do not receive pay, resident said she happened to stumble upon in Aptos. It is open Monday through Caroline’s as she was in the area a few Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday including Licker. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For Virginia Ledesma has been volunteering years ago.

“I found this place by accident and return information, call 662-0327 or visit www. at Caroline’s for three years. She started after she read an article about the store in on purpose,” she said, noting the store has carolinesnonprofitthriftshop.org.

February 2015

8 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

Clinical psychologist to give lecture Staff report

Dr. Wendy Mogel. Photo courtesy of Greater Talent Network, Inc.

APTOS — Dr. Wendy Mogel, clinical psychologist, author, and research and policy advisor for Challenge Success, a program of the Stanford University School of Education, will be the featured presenter at a public lecture on Feb. 19 at Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Drive in Aptos.

Mogel’s lecture, at 7 p.m. in the college’s Crocker Theater, is free, but space is limited. Seats can be reserved at tinyurl.com/DrWendyMogel. The event is co-presented by Gateway School, Mount Madonna School, York School, and Cabrillo College as part of their annual Speaker Series on Education.

Mogel is known for guiding parents through child-rearing. Drawing on insights from more than three decades in clinical psychology, Mogel advises parents on how to adopt a kinder, firmer, and more effective approach to daily family life.

“The purpose of the speaker series is to bring together parents, educators, and civic leaders to learn from leading scholars and researchers about best practices in teaching and learning,” said Dr. Zaq Roberts, Head of Gateway School.

Supriya McDonald, Co-Head of Mount Madonna School, agreed. “The speaker series helps to inspire dialogue around improving education and provide a shared experience that opens parents and teachers to another perspective,” McDonald said.

“Dr. Mogel’s presentation style is warmhearted, intuitive and humorous, yet grounded in research and practical life experience. Her anecdotal stories are easily understood and provide a soothing balm for anxious parents, students and educations.”

In addition to working with Stanford, Mogel serves on the scientific advisory board of Parents magazine, and on the board of the Counsel for Spiritual and Ethical Education, a century old interfaith

organization serving private schools.

She contributes articles to a variety of publications including Independent School, Parents and Camping magazines and is regularly featured as a guest expert on the Today Show, and in interviews by reporters from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Newsweek, Chicago Tribune, CNN, and NPR. “As educators and parents, we are very aware that the social and emotional health of our children may be the single most influential factor in their learning,” said Chuck Harmon, Head of York School. “We invite you to join us to hear from Wendy Mogel, an internationally acclaimed speaker and writer, about how to raise happy, resilient children.”

For information, visit www. wendymogel.com.

Amusement park series receives award

By ERIK CHALHOUB LA SELVA BEACH — For two years, Nicholas Laschkewitsch and Kris Rowberry have been traveling across Northern California tracking down remnants and memories of long-lost amusement parks.

They document their findings in a video series called “The Lost Parks of Northern California,” visiting the remains of such defunct parks as Santa’s Village in Scotts Valley and Manteca Waterslides.

Now, the two can refer to their series as “award-winning.” In January, Laschkewitsch and Rowberry won “Best Professional Bay Area Public CreaTV, based in San Jose, is a nonprofit community media center that holds its annual CreaTiVe Awards to honor filmmakers, businesses, students and more.

Laschkewitsch, a La Selva Beach resident, said he couldn’t contain his excitement when the award was announced.

“The moment that our names were announced as the recipients for the award,

I was astonished,” he said. “I jumped up and screamed, ‘Yes!’ and the two of us almost literally ran up on to the stage.”

“It’s still settling in that we actually won,” said Rowberry, a Redwood City resident. “It’s a mix of accomplishment and astonishment.”

The series is presented by Great American Thrills, a theme park enthusiast website founded by Rowberry, and American Coaster Enthusiasts.

Each episode is hosted by Rowberry, who speaks about the history of the parks and their fate. Most of the episode is shot on-site, showing what the area looks like today, whether a housing development has been constructed on it or if it remains a dirt lot.

With six episodes under their belt, both Laschkewitsch and Rowberry are forging ahead with the series.

“Receiving this award only inspires me to continue working on the The Lost Parks of Northern California series with the American Coaster Enthusiasts and Great American Thrills, as bringing back

memories for people who went to these former parks makes it all worth while,” Laschkewitsch said. “We are in full-swing planning season three of the series and are continually looking for sponsors to help fund the production.”

“The series will continue now with renewed vigor, with two episodes before we embark on a major history project, ride-related,” Rowberry said. “We’re hoping to give more details soon, but we think roller coaster and local history fans will really enjoy it.”

For information, visit www.acenorcal. org/lost-parks.

Nicholas Laschkewitsch

The award Nicholas Laschkewitsch and Kris Rowberry received for their “Lost Parks of Kris Rowberry Northern California” series. Photo by Nicholas Laschkewitsch.

Planning

for Education

Costs

Two of the biggest questions parents face today are what is it going to cost to send my child to college and what is the best way to save for it? There are numerous savings and investment options to choose from each with their own unique characteristics and rules. Let us help you navigate through the myriad of information.

CONTACT US FOR A PRIVATE CONSULTATION ON YOUR CHILD’S EDUCATION PLANNING CROXALL CAPITAL PLANNING Registered Investment Advisor

(831) 661-4006 • (800) 900-9090

Gary E. Croxall, CFP®

CROXALLCAPITAL.COM

Soren E Croxall, CFP®

Registered Principal of NPC

Partner / Registered Associate 9 Seascape Village Aptos, CA 95003 Email: gary.croxall@natplan.com

Securities and advisory services offered through National Planning Corporation (NPC), member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Consulting and investment management offered through CCP. CCP & NPC are separate and unrelated companies.

d

February 2015

LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 9

February 2015

10 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

Event to raise funds for youth dance scholarships Staff report APTOS — The First Annual Carrie’s Dream Dance Scholarship Showcase and Auction will be held Sunday, Feb. 8 at the Aptos High School Performing Arts Center, 100 Mariner Way. There will be two shows (1 p.m. and 5 p.m.) and a silent and live auction with products and services donated from the local community.

The event organizers are hoping to raise up to $20,000 in dance scholarships from this first year of fundraising, sponsorships and ticket sales. The Carrie’s Dream Showcase will also be supporting the Aptos High School Dance Team by contributing 10 percent of the showcase ticket sales to their program. There will also be a drawing at the event and one participating dance studio will receive funds to go toward their scholarship program.

Carrie Dianda McCoid, the late owner of Steps Dance Studio in Watsonville, and a lifelong Santa Cruz local, was determined to create a dance scholarship program so any student who wanted to dance would be able to do so, regardless of his or her financial circumstances. Before McCoid’s death on Oct. 3, 2012, she envisioned an annual dance showcase that would allow the community to come together to raise money for the benefit of aspiring dancers.

Carrie’s Dream Scholarship Fund Project was founded in 2014 as a tribute to McCoid. The Carrie’s Dream Scholarship Fund is a project of Pacific Arts Complex “PAC.” PAC has two studio locations, one in Santa Cruz and one in Watsonville.

Tickets are $20 each. For tickets and information, visit www.

Dance students rehearse a dance piece titled “Swimming” in the junior production division in the class of CarriesDream.org.

Tisha Nusbaum at Pacific Arts Complex in Watsonville in 2014. File photo by Tarmo Hannula

SAFE & SUSTAINABLE CROSS TRAINING

SHARE THE LOVE

of Fitness

Introductory offer

!

Call Today PT: 687-0985 Fitness: 708-2323 SeascapePTandFIT.com

30 DAYS of training for $

89

A NAME YOU CAN TRUST PROUDLY SERVING SOUTH COUNTY FOR OVER 45 YEARS”

February 2015

LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 11

Guest Columnist

Bringing healthier eating options to local schools

By ZACH FRIEND

Santa Cruz County Supervisor

A national movement is taking place to increase children’s access and consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables by donating (through private sources) salad bars to schools nationwide. Known as “Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools,” the initiative is working hard to end

childhood obesity. School salad bars are an effective strategy to increase kids’ fruit and vegetable consumption and help them develop healthier eating habits. New nutrition standards double the amount of fruits and vegetables served in school lunches. Salad bars not only emphasize a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables, but are also the easiest way for schools to comply with nutrition standards.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the lead federal agency for “Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools.” To date, more than 3,000 schools throughout the United States have received salad bars, benefitting millions of school children every day.

Regionally, the Silicon Valley Leadership Group Foundation has been working to raise money to provide Silicon Valley schools with salad bars. Last year I had the opportunity to work with the Silicon Valley Leadership Group Foundation to identify a local school in Santa Cruz County to

be the recipient of a salad bar from the “Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools” initiative. New Brighton Middle School in Capitola was selected. The initiative has been so successful in the Silicon Valley, as well as at New Brighton Middle School, that the Foundation agreed to expand the program here in Santa Cruz County.

Specifically, the Foundation agreed to fund a salad bar in one school in each supervisorial district here in the county.

In early December, I brought an item to forward to the Board of Supervisors to support this effort. The Board voted to provide formal support for this effort, at no local public cost, to work with local school districts to add five new salad bars in schools throughout our county.

I reached out to the Pajaro Valley Unified School District (PVUSD) to help select a school for our district. PVUSD was very supportive in helping me identify a school in the Aptos area and is also working with my colleague from Watsonville to identify

a location in the Watsonville area.

After consideration, we chose Rio Del Mar Elementary as the recipient of the new salad bar. The new salad bar should be placed at the school within the next few months.

To date, the Silicon Valley Leadership Group Foundation has funded 56 salad bars in 54 schools throughout the Silicon Valley.

The Foundation expects the program to grow and assuming it continues to be successful in Santa Cruz County I hope to expand the effort to more local schools in the coming years. It is great to have a public/private partnership that benefits local kids and is generously funded by the Foundation. The Silicon Valley Leadership Group Foundation raises funds for the program through donations and even a 5k race dedicated to this purpose.

As always, I appreciate hearing your thoughts. Please feel free to contact me at 454-2200.

Guest Columnist

Avoiding estate planning pitfalls

By GARY E. CROXALL, CFP® and SOREN E. CROXALL, CFP® As more and more baby boomers move into retirement, the thought of creating an estate plan may be on many of their minds.

They have amassed a nest egg over the years and now they want to ensure that their wishes are carried out in distributing that nest egg to their heirs.

••• Some things to consider As most people are aware, inheriting property doesn’t always bring out the best in family members. A loved one’s death can

bring up old resentments and jealousies. It is important that you have a solid estate plan in place well before it will ever need to be put into action. That way you can have time to have frank conversations with your heirs so that they know what your wishes are and no one is left feeling surprised.

Once your heirs know your wishes, make sure you follow it up with the necessary documents to make sure it happens.

Often times family members squabble over possessions and real property more so than things that can be quickly divided up and have a readily available market value like cash, stocks, retirement accounts, etc.

The antique furniture in grandma’s house may have a lot more meaning to one heir than another. Let your heirs take turns making a list of items that they would like to inherit. You will be able to utilize this list and work with your estate planning attorney to ensure your estate plan makes it clear which heir will receive which item.

Also, what about the family home? Heirs sometimes have vastly different ideas

of what should happen to it. Make your wishes known and document it.

Depending on the complexity of your estate, consider a revocable trust versus a will. Wills are public and generally don’t avoid probate. What that means is that any assets that don’t have a designated beneficiary attached to them may be subject to the costly and time consuming probate process. A properly drafted revocable trust can help avoid probate, so long as the required assets have been properly transferred into the trust.

Another important piece of an estate plan that should be in place is a health care directive and financial directive. These allow people to designate someone to act as their agent and carry out their wishes with regards to medical or financial matters should they ever become incapacitated.

Although not a pleasant thought, one’s mortality becomes more of an issue as people age. When you pass away, your assets will either go to your heirs, charity, or the government. If your estate planning

is done properly, you can design it so your wishes are fulfilled. Seek competent legal and financial counsel to make sure what you have earned goes where you choose.

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.

Guest Columnist

Aptos real estate update

By RUTH BATES Happy New Year! In 2014, the Average Sales Price of a single-family home in Aptos rose to $897,701, a 16 percent increase over the 2013 Average Sales Price of $776,962. The Median Sales Price rose to $750,000 from $695,750 in 2013, an 8 percent increase.

In 2012, the Average Sales Price was $715,569 and the Median Sales Price was $625,000. So in the past two years, home prices in Aptos have increased 25 percent on average. In most areas of Aptos, we are fully back to or higher than 2005-2006 peak pricing.

That said, there were still plenty of homes available to multiple types of budgets. In 2014, the sales ranged from a high of $4,500,000 for a 6,900-squarefoot home on Beach Drive in Rio Del Mar to a low of $325,000 for a 526-squarefoot bungalow on Redwood Drive. Even though much less inventory came on the market than was expected, 295 homes did sell as follows: • > $2M – 14 homes (4.7 percent) • > $1M – 61 homes (20.7 percent) • $800K-$1M – 51 homes (17.3 percent) • $650K-$800K – 72 homes (24.4 percent)

• $500K-$650K – 70 homes (23.7 percent) • < $500K – 27 homes (9.2 percent) Last year very little inventory came on the market even though it was clearly a “Seller’s Market.” The general consensus in the real estate world now is that 2015 will bring more listings. I feel that myself as I already have several listings lined up to go on the market in the spring. “Spring” usually means around April 1, so stay tuned on that.

Also this year, I think we can (finally) get excited about the approved Aptos Village project. The latest update from Barry Swenson Builder is that construction is set to begin this year. The Aptos Village project is a mixed-use development with retail stores and 63 residential units: six semi-detached single-family homes, 11 town houses and 46 apartments and condos. And with this development comes two very-much-needed new stop lights – at the intersection of Aptos Creek Road and Soquel and at the intersection of Trout Gulch Road and Soquel.

With interest rates still at absolute historic lows — 4.0 percent is less than rates in 1955 — buyers can still get into the market — but I wouldn’t wait too

much longer as the Feds are hinting that rates will rise by the end of the year for sure.

And as always, Aptos, my home town, is a fabulous place to live! I predict that

prices will continue to go up and buyers will continue to buy whenever they can, because to live in Aptos is to live in paradise!

(831) 688-5100

February 2015

12 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

FEBRUARY 2015

Aptos High School sports schedule All home games take place at Aptos High School, 100 Mariner Way, unless otherwise noted.

Boys varsity basketball Feb. 2 @ Santa Cruz High, 7 p.m.

Feb. 4 vs. San Lorenzo Valley High, 7 p.m.

Feb. 7 @ Soquel High, 6 p.m.

Feb. 10 vs. St. Francis Central Coast Catholic, 7 p.m.

Girls varsity basketball Feb. 2 @ Santa Cruz High, 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 4 vs. San Lorenzo Valley High, 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 7 @ Soquel High, 4:30 p.m.

Feb. 10 vs. St. Francis Central Coast Catholic, 5:30 p.m.

Boys varsity soccer Feb. 4 vs. Harbor High, 7 p.m.

Feb. 6 @ St. Francis Central Coast Catholic, 3:30 p.m.

Feb. 11 vs. San Lorenzo Valley High, 7 p.m.

Feb. 13 @ Soquel High, 7 p.m.

Feb. 16 vs. Santa Cruz High, 7 p.m.

Feb. 18 @ Scotts Valley High, 3:30 p.m.

Girls varsity soccer Feb. 3 vs. Harbor High, 7 p.m.

Feb. 5 @ St. Francis Central Coast Catholic High, 3:30 p.m.

Feb. 10 vs. San Lorenzo Valley High, 7 p.m.

Feb. 12 @ Soquel High, 6 p.m.

Feb. 17 vs. Santa Cruz High, 7 p.m.

Feb. 19 @ Scotts Valley High, 3:30 p.m.

Cabrillo’s Kittle: ‘This is the best team we’ve had’

By THOMAS FREY APTOS — A year after finishing one win away from advancing to the third round of the Californian Community College Athletic Association Northern Super Regional, the Cabrillo College Seahawks baseball team is looking to go even further this season.

They were led by a strong pitching staff and a team that knew how to get on base, but this year will be a little different.

They have more power in their lineup and two of their top three starting pitchers return from a team that won its second consecutive conference title.

CCCAAsports.org ranks the Seahawks as the 12th best team in their Northern California preseason poll.

“I think this is the best team we’ve had and we’ve had four pretty good ones,” said head coach Bob Kittle.

Even though they lose Nat Hamby who was their top starting pitcher and Coast Conference-Pacific Most Valuable Player, Cabrillo returns two starters who were both named to the all-conference team, Matt Palazzo and Ryan Capozza.

“I’m very confident in Palazzo and Capozza,” Kittle said. “They were our best pitchers in the playoffs last season.”

Redshirt freshman Devon Loomis, a University of San Francisco transfer, will be the third starting pitcher looking to continue the trail of great starting pitching set in front of him.

“I just want to give the team some insight on how the program works,” said Palazzo.

“We have been working hard all offseason for [opening day].”

If any of the starting pitchers have issues late in the game, the Seahawks said they believe they have strong relievers who can shut the door. Andy Morris, Andrew Dughi, Matt Deane and Ryan Stevinson all bring playoff experience.

Last season shortstop Matt Valdez finished with a .287 batting average on his way to an all-conference selection. He said he’ll try to continue and improve his game, while striving to help the Hawks rack up wins.

“I’m trying to work hard everyday and lead by example,” Valdez said. “We want to at least go to sectionals.”

This year he will be joined in the middle infield by second baseman Angel Sanchez.

Last season the Seahawks relied on sacrificing and drawing walks. This season, with newcomers, they will switch up their

Aura Photography

game plan.

“It’s important but we are going to be a little more offensive,” Kittle said.

Lucas Hewitt will be the starting first baseman. In 81 at bats last season, Hewitt hit .222 but he showed traces of power, finishing tied for fourth on the team in doubles.

Scott Akrop is a San Jose State transfer who will look to make an immediate impact as a power-hitting third baseman. He is a 6-foot-2, 215-pound local from Soquel High.

Starting at catcher is Cabrillo College Matt Palazzo, an All-Coast Conference-Pacific Houston Roberts, who selection last season, is one of two returning starting pitchers for is another local. He had the Seahawks this season as they try to win the conference title a .338 batting average for the third year in a row. File photo by Tony Nunez as a senior last season at Aptos High. and Tokunaga, who moved over from San In the outfield will be Mark Ortiz, Zane Greenberg and Luke Joaquin Delta College, haven’t played at Tokunaga. Ortiz redshirted in 2014 after he Cabrillo before.

They start conference play on Feb. 18 had a .253 batting average in 2013 while Greenberg, a Mission Hills High product, when they travel to De Anza at 2 p.m.

REGISTER-PAJARONIAN Subscription Special (Normal price $38.25)

Offer Valid For New Subscribers Only

To take advantage of this offer, please call

• Readings • Healings • Jewelry • Books • Gifts • Music • Unique Clothing Visit our website: avalonvisions.com for info on events & classes

208 Monterey Ave. Capitola Village • 831-46-GRAIL (464-7245)

This offer is good through February 28, 2015

February 2015

LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 13

Soquel High School sports schedule All home games take place at Soquel High School, 401 Soquel San Jose Road, unless otherwise noted.

Boys varsity basketball Feb. 2 @ Harbor, 7 p.m.

Feb. 4 vs. Scotts Valley, 7 p.m.

Feb. 6 @ Aptos, 7 p.m.

Feb. 10 vs. San Lorenzo Valley, 7 p.m.

Feb. 13 @ Santa Cruz, 7 p.m.

Girls varsity basketball Feb. 4 @ Harbor (Scotts Valley location), 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 6 vs. Aptos, 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 10 @ San Lorenzo Valley, 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 13 vs. Santa Cruz, 5:30 p.m.

Boys varsity soccer Feb. 6 vs. Santa Cruz, 7 p.m.

Feb. 11 @ Scotts Valley, 3:30 p.m.

Feb. 13 vs. Aptos, 7 p.m.

Feb. 16 @ Harbor, 3:30 p.m.

Feb. 18 vs. St. Francis, 7 p.m.

Girls varsity soccer Feb. 5 vs. Santa Cruz, 7 p.m.

Feb. 10 @ Scotts Valley, 3:30 p.m.

Feb. 12 vs. Aptos, 7 p.m.

Feb. 17 @ Harbor, 7 p.m.

Feb. 19 vs. St. Francis, 7 p.m.

Mariners hold on to first place in SCCAL

By TONY NUNEZ

had little problem with their next three league contest outscoring St. Francis of Watsonville, San Lorenzo Valley and Soquel 18-0. Still, Buecheler and Co. said

that they won’t overlook their upcoming schedule leading up to their rematch with the Falcons (Feb. 19).

“Now it’s really close, and that’s scary.”

Buecheler said. “We just need to win every game from here on out, and we’ll see.”

APTOS — The Aptos High Mariners are unbeaten, have sole possession of first place in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League and have a tie against state ranked St. Francis, of Mountain View, on their resume.

Normally, a team with all that working for it would be happy and smiling, but following a scoreless tie against the Scotts Valley High Falcons, who trail Aptos by half a game now, there were few smiles on the Mariners’ faces.

Aptos High sophomore “They set their standards really high,” midfielder Lauren Inman (left) said Aptos head coach Jessica Perkin. challenges Scotts Valley High “They’re not happy with a tie. I’m super defender Desiree Rakela during happy with them, but I look at them and the second half of their Santa they’re frustrated because they want Cruz Coast Athletic league game. more. We know that we have so much Photo by Tony Nunez more left in us.”

Aptos (10-0-2, 5-0-1), the reigning SCCAL champion, had more attempts on goal (6-1) and more corner kicks (2-0) than the visiting Falcons on Jan. 27, but couldn’t cash in any of its opportunities.

But the tie, which pushed the Mariners’ league unbeaten streak to 10 games, keeps them just ahead of Scotts Valley (6-2-4, 4-0-2) in the standings at the end of the first go-through of league play.

“I think that we fought to the end, and that’s the big thing,” said Aptos High senior midfielder Stephanie Buecheler.

“I’m hoping that we’ll continue to grow from here.”

The Falcons defense threw off the Mariners’ normally solid offensive plan of working the ball through the middle with their midfielders to funnel passes to their forwards, by adding pressure and getting in the passing lanes.

“They did a good job of getting us out of our rhythm at times,” Perkin said.

“I thought we also found that rhythm.

That’s what we’re working on, finding that rhythm for a large percentage of the Aptos High senior midfielder Stephanie Buecheler (left) drives past Scotts Valley High defender Oliva Ross during the second half of their Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League game Jan. 27 at game.”

There was just one time that Aptos got Aptos High. The Mariners and Falcons ended in a scoreless draw. Photo by Tony Nunez a clean look at goal. In the 21st minute Lisey Campos had shot from about 15 yards away in a one-on-one chance with Scotts Valley keeper, Alyse Handley, but her kick was a foot too high and grazed the cross bar before flying out of bounds.

Scotts Valley countered the Mariners attack with incredible 40-plus-yard throwins from their senior midfielder Taylor Raymond. She set up the Falcons’ best chance of the game with a throw-in that Aptos failed to clear in the 51st minute.

Scotts Valley took a shot on a loose ball but Kelsey Kusaba-Kusumoto used her head to deny the scoring opportunity and help Aptos notch its 11th shutout of the season.

“It’s a big accomplishment,” Buecheler said of the shutouts.

Aptos had a night away from the field on Jan. 29, which they used for their annual team bonding of bowling, then the Mariners start up their second run through the SCCAL by hosting Harbor High Feb. 3 at 7 p.m.

Aptos beat Harbor 2-0 in their first meeting at Depot Park in Santa Cruz, and

Offering the FASTEST, MOST AFFORDABLE & HIGH QUALITY training to JOBS in the area!! ★ Certified Nurse Assistant ★ Home Health Aid ★ EKG Technician ★ Pharmacy Technician National Examination Review ★ NCLEX-Review (RN/VN) ★ Medical Terminology ★ CPR, AED & First Aid ★ Pharmacy Technician

MONSBEY COLLEGE

6 Hangar Way, Suite B • Watsonville, CA 95076 (831) 786-0531 • monsbey@gmail.com

February 2015

14 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

Golden Fu Wah offers wide selection

By TODD GUILD SOQUEL — Golden Fu Wah Chinese restaurant opened three months ago in what was formerly Golden Buddha, a giant, quirky somewhat maze-like place with several nooks in which customers can find an intimate dining experience.

The new business bills itself as offering Asian fusion cuisine, which essentially means it has dishes from several different cuisines from that continent, notably Vietnam, Japan, China and Thailand.

In my opinion, such an endeavor is a risky one, since casting one’s net too widely can dilute the flavor of each cuisine. As such I am as a rule wary of such restaurants.

In any case, Golden Fu Wah offers a wide selection of dishes, in addition to the traditional Chinese ones.

Sweet basil chicken ($9.50), for example, has Thai influences, while the wasabi yam sticks appetizer ($6.75) clearly has Japanese roots. The restaurant also offers Korean short ribs ($11.50) and Vietnamese spring rolls ($3.95 or $8).

Aptos Life photographer Tarmo Hannula and I went there for lunch one Tuesday, just before a daily onslaught of students from nearby Soquel High School came for their lunch break.

Our waiter said they have come to expect the rush, and prepare food accordingly, namely piles of fried rice. Despite the throngs of high-schoolers, the large, wellarranged room never felt crowded or noisy as we perused the menu.

The first thing I noticed about Golden Fu Wah was the quick, friendly service that began when owner Jenny Lueng invited us to “come on in” as we approached the front door.

We were promptly seated, and our waiter even made helpful suggestions.

Wanting to sample dishes I knew are also eaten in China, we ordered kung pao chicken ($9.75), beef chao fun ($9.50) and a “small plate” of Szechuan string beans ($6.75).

Given a choice between miso and sweetand-sour soup, we chose the latter and were not disappointed. It was tasty, piquant and full of fresh green onion, water chestnuts and mushrooms and made the perfect starter.

In fact, every dish featured generous amounts of fresh vegetables and other ingredients, clearly a testament to the care the chef put into them.

The chao fun was decent, with thick, soft noodles, perfectly cooked broccoli and tender slices of beef.

I was hoping for more from the Szechuan string beans, which normally are spicy and flavorful. These were largely lacking in strong flavor, but they were fresh and very well cooked.

Similarly, the kung pao chicken is a dish billed on the menu as being spicy, and when I’ve had it in other restaurants it has had the signature heat of Szechuan cuisine.

Unfortunately that was not the case here — in fact, while the sauce was good it was anything but spicy. In fact, I thought

for a moment I had been given the wrong dish.

Perhaps diners who want more spice can ask for it.

The restaurant recently opened, but I think it would serve the owners well to get some decoration on the walls. The interior, largely made from wood and recently painted, seems fairly empty and cavernous Kung Pao chicken at the new Golden Fu Wah in Soquel is loaded with peanuts, vegetables and plenty of chicken. Photo by Tarmo Hannula without it.

Aside from that, the ambience is nice thanks largely Golden Fu Wah Cuisine type: to the friendly service, and matches the Chinese and other Asian dishes quirky, neighborhood feel of Soquel Food: ++ Village.

Décor: roomy and private, with room for ••• improvement Service: friendly Golden Fu Wah is located at 4601 Soquel Atmosphere: intimate Drive in Soquel. It is open from Sunday Price: $$ through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from Key (per meal) $ = $5 - $10 $$ = $11- 20 11:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. It can be reached $$$ = $30 at 515-7508. + = average, ++ = very good, +++ = excellent

Mount Madonna School BFF Boutique's GET YOUR RED ON! atDesigner Resale Shop Beautiful Fashions for Women of all Ages

"Get Your Red On" " VALENTINE'S SPECIAL " Mention this Ad for a 10% to 15% off anything RED!

(831) 251-8356 •8041 Soquel Drive, Aptos

bffboutique.net

I am an

artist

I am a

scientist

I am an

athlete

Open House | February 21, 11:00am RSVP 408-847-2717

MountMadonnaSchool.org

Pre/K - 12th grade | CAIS & WASC accredited | Nonsectarian Bus Transportation Available

February 2015

LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 15

Join our Class of 2019!

Accepted through the Early Commitment Program Joseph Amado Fenesia Braga Elexia Butler Katherine Casper Dominic Conway Joseph Correnti Riley Croghan Ruby Galvan-Maldonado Andre Gutierrez Gabriella Gutierrez Ella Hernandez Susan Jimenez E.J. Kelly Christian Lilly Nora MacKinnon Maia Madrigal-Hernandez Abel Martinez Devin McLeod Mathieu Morin Luz Muñoz Andrew O’Rourke Diego Ramirez Jesse Robinett Cesar Sanchez-Saenz Aaron Soto Isaac Tani Jake Taylor Kathleen Tripp Francisco Vargas Brianna Vasquez

St. Mary’s School CEIBA College Prep Holy Cross School Holy Cross School Salesian Elementary and Junior High St. Mary’s School Salesian Elementary and Junior High Lakeview Middle School Cesar Chavez Middle School San Carlos School Lakeview Middle School Salesian Elementary and Junior High Moreland Notre Dame Salesian Elementary and Junior High San Carlos School Alianza Charter School CEIBA College Prep Salesian Elementary and Junior High Sacred Heart Hollister Parish School Aromas School Holy Cross School Aptos Junior High School Salesian Elementary and Junior High Salesian Elementary and Junior High Moreland Notre Dame Holy Cross School Salesian Elementary and Junior High Good Shepherd School St. Mary’s School Salesian Elementary and Junior High

l St. Francis is stil ons! i t a c i l p p a g n i t p acce

School School

School School

School

School School

School

School

ADMISSIONS DATES TO REMEMBER: • Tuition Assistance Application Deadline: February 2, 2015 • Student/Family Interviews: February 7, 2015 (by appointment) Contact the Admissions office with any questions at 831-724-5933 ext.206 or admissions@stfrancishigh.net

2400 East Lake Ave. • Watsonville, CA 95076 Admissions Office: 831-724-5933 x206 Web: www.stfrancishigh.net

raised Santa Cruz County raised over

4 Million Meals

during Second Harvest’s 2014 Holiday Food & Fund Drive We feed people all year long.

Volunteer Donate Advocate www.thefoodbank.org

February 2015

16 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

New brewery on tap in Corralitos

By TODD GUILD FREEDOM — Just a few miles outside Watsonville city limits lies Corralitos Brewing Company, a new brewery and tasting room that the owners hope will put South County on the map for a legion of craft food-and-drink enthusiasts.

Business partners Luke Taylor and Mike Smith finished their first batch on Dec. 2, and already have an impressive dance card of local wholesale customers selling their wares. This includes such notable establishments as 99 Bottles, Cafe Cruz, Aptos St. BBQ and Beer 30, among others.

Nestled in Pacific Firewood & Lumber on Freedom Boulevard, Corralitos Brewing Company is at first glance in a somewhat unconventional location for a brewery.

Anyone who comes, however, will see that

Luke Taylor, shown here in the tap room, is co-owner of the new Corralitos Brewing Co. Photo by Tarmo Hannula

the two businesses intermingle perfectly, with the tasting room using several rare types of wood collected over the past five years.

“I personally milled every stick of wood in there,” said Taylor, whose father Tim Taylor and stepmother Rhonda Taylor own and run the lumber company.

The bar, for example, is made from a thick slab of madrone, while the ceiling is made from rare Monterey blue-stain pine.

Taylor also used black acacia and Douglas fir, all unique woods collected over the past five years.

All told, the warm tones give the feel of a comfortable room in a house more than a business.

The intention, Taylor said, was to create a welcoming, comfortable place where customers can sit down to a glass, sample

Business partner and and head brewer Mike Smith samples a batch of Belgian triple beer at the Corralitos Brewing Co. on Freedom Boulevard. Photo by Tarmo Hannula

the wares and, perhaps, purchase a halfgallon “growler” or a keg. The brewery has future plans to sell bottles.

Customers will be encouraged to bring their own food, and will someday be able to purchase from food trucks. Taylor said he is also considering adding a kitchen.

The place will have simple chairs and tables and a large community table, but no televisions typical to many similar establishments.

“We want to promote conversation,” he said. “We want to create a sense of community.”

The brewery will be the only one of its kind in South County, although the Watsonville Planning Commission on Feb. 3 is planning to consider approving a use permit for another one on Airport Boulevard. Outside of that, the nearest ones are in Santa Cruz.

The brewery’s opening came after five years of wrangling with the Santa Cruz County Planning Department, a battle that Taylor said forced them to spend all their money as they created and then revised the building plans and dealt with two planners.

The process began when the department told him that beer making had nothing to do with agriculture and suggested he instead switch to wine, Taylor said.

Eventually, Taylor was able to convince the county that beer making is deeply tied into Santa Cruz County agriculture history, especially since many farmers here used to grow hops.

In fact, Taylor said he plans to use a variety originally grown here by the McGrath family in one of his beers. He also plans to honor Pajaro Valley farming heritage by placing historical photos throughout the tasting room.

“We proved to them that beer has everything to do with agriculture,” he said.

Taylor said he wanted to establish his brewery in an under-used space in his

parents’ business, a move that turned out to be a prudent one after dealing with the red tape from the county, he said.

“If I had to pay rent for that long, there is no way I could have made it,” he said.

Taylor and Smith have been creating beer since 2005, an endeavor they began as home brew hobbyists.

Taylor began to share his creations with friends, who were so impressed they encouraged him to continue with it.

“I realized I could do it better than anything I found in stores,” he said.

Smith, meanwhile, took the six-month UC Davis Master Brewers Program, volunteered at several breweries and worked as master brewer at Boulder Creek Brewery.

Both found that their work ethic love for the craft and passion for the beverage meshed perfectly.

“We don’t brew beers that we don’t like to drink,” he said. “We brew stuff we want to drink, and that we hope that people who enjoy craft beers will enjoy.”

With 10 taps on the wall, Taylor promised the brewery will always have the standards such as India Pale Ale, a stout, a saison and a red ale.

After that, Taylor and Smith plan to “play” with other styles, such as Germanstyle lagers, Belgian and sours, among others.

“I want Corralitos Brewing Company to be known as a place that is always trying something new,” he said. “We brew a lot of different stuff and people are going to see a lot of different things come out of here.”

••• Corralitos Brewing Company is located at 2536 Freedom Blvd. It is open Wednesday through Friday from 5 until 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 12 until 8 p.m. For information, call 7282311. A website is under construction.

o t e m o c l e W This quaint Historical Village boasts a selection of Fine Shops, Restaurants, Wine Pubs & Much More; all within walking distance from one another. Below is a taste of what you will find in the Village:

Antique Clocks O F S A N TA C R U Z

8045 Soquel Drive (831) 688-6881

15% OFF

8041 Soquel Drive (831) 251-8356

with mention of this ad

Bag of chips

FREE

with purchase, mention this ad (503) 382-9985

Aptos Village Rattan

15% OFF

8024 Soquel Drive (831) 688-0278

with mention of this ad

8050 Soquel Drive (831) 612-6191

8049 Soquel Drive (831) 685-3156

Armitage Wines 105 Post Office Drive (831) 708-2874

8041 Soquel Drive (831) 688-8660

8050 Soquel Drive (831) 661-5689

to ed

ere . ng as

ons ey

an

nth m, nd ek

Thank you Santa Cruz County for another miracle-filled season- our 26th!

It’s impossible to articulate the gratitude and the significance a single teddy bear or puzzle can bring, both to the child receiving and the family caught in emotional or economic hardship. If one gift can have such an impact, then imagine the efforts of the community, by providing thousands of toys, books, bikes…what a difference we have made together!

Program Sponsors

ve ge

ke ant ho

lor he ,a

to anng

to ng of see e.”

is en ntil om 28-

The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, now in its 67th year,

All Seasons Community Toy Box ~ Co-Sponsors 2014 ~ Berman Ent/Statewide Properties Capitola Self-Storage City of Watsonville Hot Spring Spa Lakeside Organic Gardens Malone’s Grille Storemore America ~ Financial Contributors ~ Lakeside Organic Gardens/ Dick & Marisela Peixoto Nordic Naturals Palace Business Solutions Whole Foods Market/SCruz Aptos/LaSelva Firefighters Event Sponsors

5K Jingle Bell Rock Toy Run/Finish Line Productions Brownies Troop Capitola/Soquel/Aptos Café Rio California Ingress Community Central Coast Spartans Coldwell Banker/Aptos/Capitola/SCruz Corralitos 4-H Club Corralitos Cub Scouts França Jiu-Jitsu Studios Friends & Family of Camille & Tim Washowich Gball Athletes & Families Holy Smokes Country BBQ & Catering Jim Tracey Orchard Supply Capitola Orchard Supply Watsonville Pajaro Dunes Homeowners Assn/North Pajaro Dunes Homeowners Assn/South Palace Art & Office Supply Redroom Cocktail Lounge Roaring Camp Railroads

was developed for the simple purpose of spreading Christmas cheer to children in need.

In Santa Cruz County, where no USMC Reserve Unit exists, Watsonville and Aptos/LaSelva Fire Departments, in collaboration with Boulder Creek Fire, CAL Fire -Corralitos and -Pajaro Dunes, have partnered with neighboring businesses and individual volunteers to continue that important mission of providing the gift of hope to area children throughout the county.

This past season, over 14,000 gifts were distributed to a network of 36 nonprofits county-wide!

Santa Cruz Pickleball Club Seascape Sports Club UCSC Women’s Basketball Woodstock Pizza Willing Suspension Armchair Theater

Collection Partners

ACE Hardware/East Lake Aegis of Aptos American Legion Post 121/Watsonville Anatometal AT&T Store/Watsonville Atlas Family Chiropractic Auntie Wendy’s Day Care Ave Maria Memorial Chapel Best Western/Seacliff Inn California Giant Capitola Police Officers Assn Capitola Self Storage Carmona’s BBQ City of Watsonville CEA Coldwell Banker/Aptos Coldwell Banker/Capitola Coldwell Banker/Mission St Crossroad Fabrics Cuts and Curls DeAnza Manufactured Homes Dollar Saver/Watsonville EconoLodge Edward Jones/Otto Elite Martial Arts Felton Fire Department Fleet Feet GO! Calendars Goodwill Store/Watsonville Head‘n Home Hats Holiday Inn Express/Santa Cruz Holiday Inn Express/Watsonville Hot Spring Spa Hotel Paradox House of Brows Kianti’s Pizza & Pasta Bar Lightspeed Martial Arts Malone’s Grande Grill Nordic Naturals Orchard Supply/Capitola Orchard Supply/Watsonvillle Pacific Collegiate School Progressive Benefit Group Red Restaurant & Bar Redz Hair Design

Roaring Camp Railroad Rocky’s Gym Roger’s Diner Salesian Sister School Santa Cruz Core Santa Cruz Children’s Dental Group Santa Cruz Endoscopy Santa Cruz Martial Arts & Fitness Santa Cruz Running Smooth Body Lounge Spokesman Bicycles Super Max/Watsonville The Little People’s Store Toyota of Santa Cruz Toys R Us Viewpoint Construction Software Walgreens/Freedom Walgreens/Front St Walgreens/Scotts Valley Walgreens/Soquel Dr Watsonville Senior Center West Marine Products Windjammer Lounge

Warehouse Operational Support

ACE Hardware/Freedom Annieglass Easton/Bell Sports Elyxir Distributor Mora Door ppd Multimedia Sambrailo Packaging Co Santa Cruz Toymakers Smith & Vandiver, Inc Super Max Foods Target/Capitola Target/Watsonville Walker Street Pallets Watsonville Public Works Young Women—LDS Church

Warehouse Meals Provided By

Carmona’s BBQ Cassidy’s Pizza Cilantro’s Cantina y Parilla D’la Colmena Frito-Lay M.E. Fox Beverages

Monterey Bay Caterers S.Martinelli & Co Starbucks/Main & Ohlone Togo’s Sandwiches Roger’s Diner Safeway/Aptos Safeway/Freedom Safeway/Mission St Safeway/Scotts Valley Safeway/Soquel

Staff & Committee Members

Almita Schaefer Andrew Salazar Beth Silcott Elliot Bastian Kevin Barboza Jerry Carry Joseph Clerici Josh Cech Juan Martinez Lisa Pepperdine Marilyn McMahan Mindi Broughton Capt Matt Ryan, Chair Nathan Salazar Capt Rick Pettigrew Rina Vallet Sara Paul Capt Tom Avila Delilah Valadez, Coordinator

Hotel Paradox

Gingerbread House Workshop Hotel Paradox Santa Cruz Warriors Honey In The Heart Ceremonies Doug the Surfer Magician Joshua Logan Pacific Cookie Company Santa Cruz Children’s Dental Group Santa Cruz Fire Department S.Martinelli & Co

SantaCruzCounty.ToysForTots.org

February 2015

18 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

APTOS

Community Calendar

SOQUEL

CAPITOLA

February Ongoing

Feb. 4

Feb. 5

Nar-Anon family groups

SIR meeting

Breakfast meeting

Nar-Anon Family Groups is a 12 step program/support group for friends and families who have been affected by the addiction or drug problem of another. Nar-Anon members share their experience, strength and hope at a weekly meeting. Scotts Valley Fridays, 6:30-7:45 p.m. Meets in Bison Center, The Camp Recovery Center, 3192 Glen Canyon Road. (Park in lower lot, walk up driveway and turn right at sign.) Helpline: 888-688-7834. Find other meetings: www.nar-anon.org.

SIR Branch 36 will be meeting at the Portuguese Hall on 216 Evergreen St. in Santa Cruz at 11:30 a.m. The featured speaker will be Dan Haifley, executive director of O’Neill Sea Odyssey.

Sons In Retirement is open to all working, retired, and semi-retired men. The organization offers men the opportunity to meet other men and get involved in activities such as bowling, golf, computer club, bocci ball and more. Luncheon is $17. For information, call www.SirBranch36.com.

Aptos Noon Toastmasters

Feb. 8

Come join a dynamic, supportive group of people at all levels of experience from beginners to more advanced. Meets Wednesdays from noon to 1 p.m. at Rio Sands Hotel, 116 Aptos Beach Drive. The group will help you discover your voice and share it effectively. Everyone is welcome.

For information, visit Facebook.com/ AptosNoonToastmasters or call 2361171.

Encaustic painting

This workshop will explore the world of encaustic painting. Using molten beeswax mixed with pigment each student will have the opportunity to expanding their creativity into this ancient art form. All materials will be supplied during the workshop, just bring your lunch. Each workshop is held in Aptos on either Sunday, Feb 8 or Saturday, Feb. 21 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is $135. For information, call 708-2826.

Feb. 19

Feb. 21

Business Showcase

Encaustic painting

The Aptos and Capitola-Soquel chambers of commerce will present the 2015 Business Showcase, “Passport to Success,” from 4-7 p.m. at the Capitola Mall on 41st Avenue. For information, call 688-1467 or 475-6522.

This workshop will explore the world of encaustic painting. Using molten beeswax mixed with pigment each student will have the opportunity to expanding their creativity into this ancient art form. All materials will be supplied during the workshop, just bring your lunch. Each workshop is held in Aptos on either Sunday, Feb 8 or Saturday, Feb. 21 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is $135. For information, call 708-2826.

The Aptos Chamber of Commerce will hold its February breakfast meeting from 7:30-9 a.m. at Best Western Seacliff Inn, 7500 Old Dominion Court in Aptos. The guest speaker will be Fred Keeley of the Open Space Project.

Admission is $20 for members, $25 for non-members. For reservations, call 688-1467.

Feb. 13-14 ‘What’s Just?’

“What’s Just? An Exploration of Juvenile Justice Alternatives” will be held Feb. 13 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. and Feb. 14 from 9 a.m.m to 4 p.m. at Inner Light Center, 5630 Soquel Drive in Soquel.

The free two-day event will feature a panel discussion and a presentation

by Nell Bernstein, author of “Burning Down the House.” For information, call Peter Klotz-Chamberlin at 423-1626, extension 102, or email 2peterkc@ gmail.com.

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

Feb. 3

Museum Board, 5:30 p.m.

Soquel Creek Water District, 7 p.m.

Feb. 5

Planning Commission 7 p.m.

Feb. 10

Art & Cultural Commission 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 11

Architectural & Site Review 3:30 p.m.

City Council, 7 p.m.

Feb. 24 Dining for History

Join the Aptos History Museum at the newly-remodeled Hideout restaurant, located in the old Ma Maison Restaurant, 9051 Soquel Drive in Aptos, for dinner and history of the house and photo restoration. Admission is $40 for museum members, $45 for nonmembers. For reservations, call 6881467.

Feb. 26 Get Fit in 2015

The Aptos Chamber of Commerce will hold its “Get Fit in 2015” event at the Rio Sands Hotel, 116 Aptos Beach Drive. The event will feature workout classes and a chance to meet personal trainers. Admission is $5 for chamber members, $10 for non-members.

Feb. 17

Soquel Creek Water District, 7 p.m.

Feb. 25

Architectural & Site Review 3:30 p.m.

City Council/Successor Agency, 6 p.m.

Commission on the Environment — Workshop 6 p.m.

Feb. 26

City Council, 7 p.m.

February 2015

LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 19

Lyon

Business & Service Directory ADVERTISING SALES 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 4/30/15. Must present coupon at time of purchase.

Celebrating 20 Years!

• • • •

Watsonville’s Independent Bookstore

new/used books used audio books 1 minute off hwy 1 special orders -no charge!

Thank You For Voting us Best In The Pajaro Valley

A S S O C I AT E S , I N C .

831-475-8400 2601-41ST Avenue, Suite A, Soquel, 95073 www.thunderbird.com

$20 per hour

FULLY STOCKED TRUCKS RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL

or less

Call for Your Free Assessment

WE HAVE YOUR BREAKER OR FUSE

accessiblecentralcoast.com

WWW.WATSONVILLEGM.COM

THUNDERBIRD REAL ESTATE

• Geriatric Care • Activities of Daily Living • Companion Care • Alzheimer’s & Dementia • Recovery

831.464.3400

831.722.3522 500 AUTO CENTER DR., WATSONVILLE 95076

Serving Santa Cruz County since 1974

Accessible Health Care

For All Your Real Estate Needs

(831) 239-9925 E-mail: allenbarney@sbcglobal.net

FACING A CRITICAL FINANCIAL DECISION? GET A 2ND OPINION J. Ben Vernazza CPA/PFS, TEP emeritus Fee-Only Investment Consultant 831-688-6000 www.benvcpa.com

All wired up Artist displayed sculptures at Aptos Library

By ERIK CHALHOUB APTOS — Lou Licon went from setting up psychedelic light shows in Los Angeles during the 1960s to crafting creatures out of recycled wire.

His passion for wire may not have existed had he not been involved in the music industry. While touring with blues singer Bonnie Raitt, he noticed during one gig that some wire was lying around backstage.

And so, he picked it up and began crafting a shape out of the wire. The simple task eventually grew into a regular activity at gigs, and the now-retired Licon describes it as his “full-time hobby.”

It is a welcome change for the Aptos resident, who said his life was defined by a series of high-pressure occupations.

“I went from high stress in the military in the ‘60s to high stress in the music business to this, which is the total opposite,” Licon said. “As long as I’m happy doing them I’ll keep doing it.”

His last tour in the music industry was with Jackson Browne, a worldwide trip that lasted eight months.

He also developed the original light system at the Catalyst in Santa Cruz.

Licon set up a display of 25 wire sculptures at the Aptos Branch Library. The exhibit ran through

January.

Most of Licon’s sculptures are crafted out of recycled wire, some of which are accentuated with seashells found while walking on the beach.

He sculptures consists of trees, birds, whales, fantasy creatures and more. The time varies to complete each sculpture, he said, noting that he needs to “feel” the object he is creating in order to complete it.

Some may take a couple days, but for others, Licon cited an example of a mermaid someone asked him to create, which took about six months.

It’s the ability to work at his own pace that draws Licon to his work, a far cry from his time in the music industry.

“I don’t have to depend on it for my income,” he said.

Quick to note that he is “not a salesperson,” Licon said he prefers to give his work away rather than sell it. The look on the person’s face when they receive a sculpture is worth more than the money, he said.

“It’s hard for me to put a price on something,” he said.

Licon is showing his work at Surf City Coffee, 9105 Soquel Drive in Aptos, and Palm Deli, 3000 Valencia Ave. in Aptos.

Lou Licon shows an octopus he made out of wire.

Photo by Erik Chalhoub

TRI-COUNTY

REAL ESTATE

ENHANCE YOUR LIFE IN 2015!

February 2015

20 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

1 Seascape offers over 60 weekly group exercise classes 2 Regular exercise cuts risk of death from heart disease by 50% 3 Seascape has a State-of-the-Art Fitness and Wellness Center 4 Regular exercise promotes leaner, healthier, wealthier lifestyle 5 Seascape Junior Olympic Size Lap Pool is heated year-round 6 Regular exercise builds brain cells and brain power 7 Seascape has more tennis players, tennis teams and tennis events 8 Playing tennis provides valuable interval training (On our Hard or Clay Courts) 9 Seascape has more junior programs (Visit our New Junior Activity Center)

q New Members Receive 20% OFF & 3 MONTHS FREE DUES*

*Restrictions Apply (Offer Ends 2/28/15)

16 B Seascape Village, Aptos, CA

Fresh. Local.

Organic. All-Natural.

We carry an array of organic, local, regional, and sustainable products. Our meats include Meyers, Certified Humane Vegetarian fed Angus Beef and Mary’s air chilled Chicken. Our dairy includes Clover all natural and organic milk and yogurt. Our eggs come from our local Aptos Glaum Egg Ranch. You will find local Surf City Coffee and Alta Coffee on our shelves along with Marianne’s and Polar Bear ice cream in our freezers. Kelly’s French bakery delivers fresh bread and baked goods daily.

Gianna’s cakes and cookies are the perfect hostess gift.

All Customers Receive with minimum purchase of

2

$

00

OFF 5 Fresh. Local. Organic. All-Natural.

SeascapeFoods.com | 831.685.3134 $

00

prepared Deli Foods

Expires – 2-28-15