LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola & Soquel by Weeklys

Sports Page 12

Swing into Spring Page 2

APTOS

JUNE 2016

SOQUEL

CAPITOLA EVERYTHING APTOS, CAPITOLA & SOQUEL

Vol. 4 No. 11

Aptos tradition returns July 4

HISTORY CORNER

Floats being accepted for World’s Shortest Parade

By John Hibble Call: 688-1467 Visit us online: aptoshistory.org

By ERIK CHALHOUB

Visit the museum:

APTOS — The World’s Shortest Parade is a time for people to celebrate living in the United States by enjoying time with their neighbors. The 55th annual parade returns to Aptos on July 4. “It’s a family day, it’s a celebration of America,” said Karen Hibble, coexecutive director of the Aptos Chamber of Commerce. “We’re blessed to live in a community where we can have parades, and celebrate neighbors.” This year’s theme is “Team Up for America.” The pancake breakfast will be in the parking lot of Burger, 7941 Soquel Drive, from 7-10 a.m. The World’s Shortest Parade will begin at 10 a.m. at the corner of Soquel and State Park drives and continue to the Bay View Hotel. Rene Schlaepfer, pastor of Twin Lakes Church, will be the grand marshal. As is tradition, judges will be eyeing standout floats to see who comes out on top in a variety of categories, such as most unusual, best pet and most patriotic. Hibble said last year’s parade drew about 200 parade entries. After the parade, families are invited to Aptos Village Park for “Party in the Park” from noon to 4 p.m. Extra Large will perform. The Party in the Park will be from 12-4 p.m. and will have food, games and more. Donations for the Party in the Park of

7605-B Old Dominion Court Aptos, CA

What is this? One of the great things about our museum is that I get to interact with people who stop by. Some people have questions and some people have new stories to tell. Sometimes I have already learned the answers that people want to hear and sometimes I get to be a detective. Fortunately, I am able to ask people who know far more than I do and I get to learn something new about our past. This time I need your help. About a year ago, Mike Van Lienden came by the museum. He likes to ride around the back roads on his motorcycle. He told me about three locations where he found what he thinks were shelters for old school bus stops, one on Trout Gulch at Victoria Lane, one on Trout Gulch at Larson Road, and one on Porter Gulch. I went out to photograph them but I could only find two. I could not find the one at Larson Road but I seem to remember one there once upon a time. I wrote historian Carolyn Swift and asked her what they might be. Carolyn grew up and went to school here. She replied, “I can only guess. Since I rode the #2 bus on the Trout Gulch/Valencia route in 1957, I can tell you Please turn to Page 7

Kat Wilson works on a mural titled “Leap of Faith” on the side of the Silver Spur Restaurant on Soquel Drive. Wilson said she learned the bas relief technique she is using on the mural on a recent trip to Europe. Wilson can be contacted at kats_art@ sbcglobal.net. Photo by Tarmo Hannula

Please turn to Page 6

Cabrillo commencement Dorma Baker kicks off graduation season announces retirement By TODD GUILD APTOS — Decked out in caps and gowns, many of which were bejeweled and otherwise customized with the names of their majors, more than 1,300 Cabrillo College students graduated May 20 at Carl Connelly Stadium. According to Cabrillo spokeswoman Kristin Fabos, roughly 42 percent of local high school graduates come to Cabrillo in the year after high school.

Titiana Rubio and her friends prepare to cross the stage at the graduation ceremony. Photo by Tarmo Hannula

PVUSD and Santa Cruz districts send about half of their graduates to Cabrillo, while around one-third of graduates from the mountain districts of San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley go there. The graduates range in age from 18 to 74. Their stories range from high schoolers who wanted a jump-start on credits before going to a four-year university to those who want to start a career. Many adults attend hoping to boost their job skills or find a new one. Countless others overcome adversity to find their place in the world. Rose Bechtel said she came from a family that doesn’t value education, particularly for women. At one point during her education Bechtel enrolled in a homeschool program so she could accompany her father to cancer treatments, including stints in Mexico. Bechtel studied music from a young age, but by the time she graduated high school, nobody had discussed college options with her. Conversations about school with her parents would quickly escalate to arguments. Nevertheless, Bechtel enrolled at Cabrillo to study music, footing the bill herself. Two years into an opera major, Bechtel decided it was too competitive and consuming, and instead spent a semester Please turn to Page 15

By TODD GUILD APTOS — Nearly eight years after she took the helm of Santa Cruz County’s largest school district, Pajaro Valley Unified School District Superintendent Dorma Baker is retiring. Baker made the announcement in late April. She said she plans to spend time with her family and friends, and “begin some new adventures.” Baker’s announcement caps a 40-year career in education that she began as a teacher at Calabasas

Elementary School. Baker also taught at Mintie White, Valencia and Rio del Mar elementary schools. She also served as principal, director and assistant superintendent. “I have had an amazing journey,” Baker said. “I was fortunate to have the opportunity to be a teacher, and then finally the privilege of leading the district as the superintendent.” Baker was fresh out of college in 1972 when she and her husband moved to Aptos. Since teaching Please turn to Page 6

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June 2016

2 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

Yet another look at the Aptos Village Project To the Editor,

‘Swing Into Spring’ About 125 people attended “Swing Into Spring,” the 10th anniversary celebration of the Aptos History Museum on May 15. The event, held at the Seacliff Inn and the museum, featured a “Roaring ‘20s” themed silent auction, with a performance by the Soquel High Jazz Band. Aptos Chamber of Commerce Co-Executive Director Karen Hibble said nearly half of the attendees had never seen the museum before. Photo courtesy of Aptos Chamber of Commerce

Corralitos Woman’s Club awards scholarships By ERIK CHALHOUB CORRALITOS — The Corralitos Woman’s Club introduced its three collegebound scholarships winners May 10 during its monthly meeting. Aptos High School seniors Maya Yokoyama, Beth Guhin and Kate Jeffery received the scholarships. Yokoyama received the first prize of $2,000, while Guhin and Jeffery tied for second for $1,500 each. This is the 35th year the club has given out the scholarships. Marcia Burns, chair of the scholarship committee, said the club received 39

applications from both women and men, but the three chosen stood out. “They’re very exceptional ladies,” she said. The application includes an essay, as well as information on not only academics, but extracurricular activities and volunteer work. Debora Norz, a member of the scholarship committee, said the club is “always collecting” for the scholarship fund, holding events throughout the year such as a mystery dinner play, bingo and more. Yokoyama, who has worked on murals throughout the county, is planning on attending UC Santa Barbara to study environmental policy. “It will definitely help me not have to

immediately search for a job,” she said. “I can integrate into the college and focus on my academics.” Guhin, who is heading to San Diego State University to study kinesiology with a concentrate in physical therapy, agreed, saying that the scholarship will help purchase books for a couple of years. Jeffery will be joining Yokoyama at UC Santa Barbara, and will study physics. “We as a club want to leave this world better than the way we found it,” said President Pat Novakovich. “Whatever we can do to help youth is really important.” ••• The Corralitos Woman’s Club is looking for new members. For information, call 768-9880.

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

Photography - Tarmo Hannula Advertising Sales

Tina Chavez, Allison Stenberg, Mark Pezzini, Adriana Novack, 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.

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The Corralitos Woman’s Club awarded scholarships to Aptos High School seniors Kate Jeffery (from left), Beth Guhin and Maya Yokoyama. Photo by Erik Chalhoub

Construction on the Aptos Village Project, reported as “off to a good start,” came to an abrupt halt following the discovery of a buried fuel tank on March 1. Rather than notifying county officials as required by law, workmen extracted the tank from the ground without a permit (also required by law), apparently rupturing it in the process. A large amount of water and diesel fuel spilled from the tank, perhaps as much as 300 gallons. It is believed the tank had at least a 5,000-gallon capacity. Barry Swenson Builder’s project manager was apprised of the tank situation and witnesses say that it was loaded onto a truck before dark that very day. The tank was delivered to a scrap metal processor the next morning; several infractions of the law involved here. County officials issued a permit for dealing with the tank one week later and days after it was destroyed. Not being an attorney, I do not know the penalties for such behavior, but there are many sitting in jail in this country for far less. Meanwhile, workmen have been digging a deep hole and piling soil at the site where the tank supposedly came from. Others have been conducting soil tests. Although there have been reports that the soil tests were clear, a large excavator was busy the morning of May 16, loading large trucks full of soil from the piles, which apparently had been found to be contaminated. I personally saw seven truckloads leave the site. On the morning of the 17th, the excavator was nowhere in sight although there remained two more piles of soil (contaminated?), and Soquel Creek Water District personnel were busy starting construction of an underground pipeline (10-inches?) across the Village Project site. A bit of a monkey wrench into the “good start” on the Village Project, eh? Thomas Stumbaugh Aptos

June 2016

LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 3

A stealthy mission Local man designed F-117A fighter plane By TODD GUILD WATSONVILLE — Decades ago, high above the burning sands of Area 51 in Nevada, a prototype of what would become the United States’ first stealth fighter soared over the heads of several U.S. Air Force officials and other people who came to see the plane’s qualifying flight. Although a spotter with a telescope saw the outlandishly angled airship, the super-secret plane did its job: it was all but invisible to an Air Force radar technician. The airplane was the F-117A Nighthawk, otherwise known as the stealth fighter. “They didn’t see us,” said Watsonville resident Alan Brown, who was the chief engineer for the project for Lockheed Martin Aerospace Company, which developed the plane. “Every line on it is my responsibility,” Brown said. Stealth technology essentially works by deflecting radar signals in ways that don’t allow them to return to their source, thus rendering them “invisible” to enemy radar

operators. Built by Lockheed’s secretive Skunkworks division, the plane was created during the Cold War, when military officials were looking for ways in which to avoid Soviet radar. The project got its start when the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency put out a call for such a plane to seven aircraft companies. None of these were Lockheed, but another engineer from that company who was developing a stealth missile got wind of DARPA’s request. An Air Force colonel asked how long it would take. Brown’s supervisor Ben Rich said 18 months, an unheard of timeline for such an ambitious project. By comparison, the F-15 Eagle took five years to take from paper to sky. “You could have heard my jaw dropping,” Brown said. Despite the challenge, the Skunkworks team had a prototype in two years, Brown said. “Skunkworks always had a reputation for doing things fairly quickly and quite

The F-117 A is shown in flight. Contributed

revolutionarily,” he said. That small prototype, and two full-size ones, all passed structural, flight and, most importantly, radarevading tests. “I’ve got to say we were lucky, because it doesn’t always happen that way,” Brown said. Skunkworks got the order for 57 of the planes. “At that point we were told to go fullspeed,” Brown said. The F-117A At his home, Alan Brown shows a model of the F-117A stealth bomber Stealth Fighter, of which he was the principal designer. Photo by Tarmo Hannula also known as the Nighthawk, took its first flight in 1981. For the next seven for the company. In the meantime he earned another years the planes flew numerous missions. master’s degree from Stanford University Because the project was top-secret, however, it’s unclear just how many in aeronautical engineering. Finally, Brown was asked by Lockheed missions that was. Born in England, Brown graduated to design structures that stop radar from from high school at 15 and went to work detecting engines. The division of Lockheed Martin, so in an airplane factory as an engineering named for its location close to a nearby apprentice. He spent two years working in various odoriferous plastics factory, also built the departments such as assembly and the U2 spy plane and the SR71 Blackbird. Since his retirement, Brown has given machine shop, all of which gave him a solid understanding of how planes are lectures at universities, and has served as mentor to Watsonville High School built. At the same time he took night classes students. He also sat on the board of the school’s engineering department. such as electronics and aerodynamics. “You have to be reasonably competent, He went on to earn a master’s degree, and after an extensive job search went to but you also have to be extremely lucky, and be in the right place at the right time,” work for Lockheed in the research lab. Before working on the stealth fighter, he he said. “I have no doubt that developing helped design supersonic transport planes that plane was the highlight of my career.”

She Wore Blue Velvet Soft, rich blue velvet. It was the fabric of my mother’s favorite suit. She made it herself in the late 50’s after saving for months to buy the fabric on her file clerk salary. But she only wore her velvet suit on special days—Sundays and holidays. Each year, all the way through high school, she would make a special dress for me too. And after fitting it perfectly, she delivered the same loving advice, “Stand tall”. Now, mom doesn’t remember that advice. In fact, she struggles to get my name right and is losing the ability to button her coats. She can still hum the music of those days because that’s how Alzheimer’s works. It steals memories of many of our favorite people, but memories of music often remain. Our family juggles her daily needs, but we are now at the point where 24-hour care is needed. And we need to care for our children too. When memory loss caused by aging and dementia progress and the needs of your loved one demand more time from you, it can be a very difficult challenge. That’s when you may consider a visit to Áegis Living. We are a trusted source for senior living. From transitional care to memory care, our specially trained, dedicated staff serve our residents within a vibrant comfortable home. We’re here to help. Call for lunch and a tour!

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June 2016

4 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

BEGONIA FESTIVAL

COMMUNITY BRIDGES

RED CROSS

Community Bridges receives state recognition for workplace conditions

Red Cross recognizes volunteers Staff report SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — The American Red Cross of the Central Coast presented the Clara Barton Award for Volunteer Leadership to Jill Hoffman of Santa Cruz. This award recognizes a volunteer for service in a series of leadership positions held over a period of years. Hoffman began volunteering with the American Red Cross 35 years ago. She was spurred to action when a devastating storm hit Santa Cruz County and left 22 dead, many more homeless. Since then she has served around the world as a delegate in the International Federation of the Red Cross and has served as Assistant to the Social Welfare Advisor at their Secretariat base in Geneva. She supervises CSU Monterey Bay and Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey interns since 2008 helping to support the work of Red Cross International Services programs. Other volunteers honored at the American Red Cross of the Central Coast Volunteer Awards and Recognition Event on April 28 at the Quail Lodge and Golf Club in Carmel also include: • Disaster Cycle Services Outstanding Support Award: Ann Sydes of Aptos and Jill Petker of Carmel • Disaster Cycle Services Exceptional Response Award: Tiki Dellamore of Santa Cruz • Disaster Cycle Services Exceptional Leadership Award: Dan Kemper of Prunedale • Disaster Cycle Services Extraordinary Commitment and Dedication Award: Rosielee Crosley of Santa Cruz • International Services Award: Steve Perle of Monterey • Service to the Armed Forces Award: Stanley Jacques of Salinas • Biomedical Service Award: Lucy Santina of Santa Cruz • Biomedical Services Volunteer Award: Jo Ann Whittle of Scotts Valley and Karen Williams of Aptos

Staff report Team Tola was the 2015 Second Place entry during the Nautical Parade. Contributed photo

Begonia Festival announces parade incentives Staff report CAPITOLA — The 64th annual Capitola Begonia Festival announced new incentives for groups to join the 2016 Nautical Parade. The Begonia Festival returns Sept. 2-5 with “Begonias Around the World” as the theme. The Nautical Parade — begonia-covered floating barges on Soquel Creek — takes place Sunday, Sept. 4. Float building begins Sept. 2. New float builders are encouraged to participate. The festival committee provides the barges, access to the begonia blossoms, floral wire and a limited number of float building sites. Each float building team receives a $250 grant for participating in the parade. The Nautical Parade prizes include a donation to the float team’s favorite local charity: • Grand prize, $1,000 • Second place, $750 • Third place, $500 • All other entrees, $250 Nautical Parade entry forms are available at begoniafestival.com. The festival website also includes a “Floatbuilder’s Guide” for added information about participating in the parade and a schedule of festival events for the weekend.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — Community Bridges has been selected to receive the California Breastfeeding Coalition’s Mother-Baby Friendly Workplace Award. As a nonprofit agency with more than 200 employees in 20 locations throughout Santa Cruz County, Community Bridges aims to provide a familyfriendly and supportive working environment for its employees, including working mothers returning from maternity leave. Community Bridges’ 10 programs include the federally-funded Women, Infants, Children (WIC) program. WIC provides low-income families with special checks to buy healthy foods, personalized nutrition education, and breastfeeding support. In recognition of the health advantages of breastfeeding for infants and mothers, Community Bridges aligns with WIC’s mission and supports and encourages breastfeeding by accommodating lactating employees in the workplace with adequate time and facilities for breastfeeding and/or expressing milk for their infants. “Not only does Community Bridges have a written Lactation Accommodation Policy, but we actively promote the policy and make new employees aware that it exists,” said Dana Wagner, assistant program director for WIC. Representatives from Community Bridges traveled to the State Capitol in Sacramento on May 10 to accept the award; past recipients include California Highway Patrol, Kaiser Permanente, Wells Fargo and UC Davis, among others.

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June 2016

SHAKESPEARE CLASS

LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 5

DOWN TO EARTH

Bond with The Bard in a new Cabrillo Extension Class

Aptos resident releases new novel Staff report

Staff report APTOS — For those who hated Hamlet and loathed Lear in school, help is at hand. “Shakespeare for the Elizabethan Impaired” is a class created by longtime Shakespeare lover, teacher, director and producer Janis Hashe. “So many times I hear from people, ‘Oh, I hated Shakespeare in school … I didn’t understand it at all,’” Hashe said. “But these same people, as adults, often realize they are missing something.” So the interactive class, which Hashe has taught in multiple locations for more than 15 years, focuses on comprehension—and fun. “We do things like ‘Shakespeare News of the Week,’ where class members bring in anything they’ve seen or heard about Shakespeare that week. He really is kind of everywhere,” Hashe said. Students also get a chance to read aloud, if they wish, and local productions and screenings are discussed. Plays covered this session will be “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Richard III” and “Hamlet,” which is especially timely, as participants will be able to see both “Midsummer” and “Hamlet” during Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s upcoming season. “If people aren’t sure if this class is for them, I encourage them to get in touch and ask as many questions as they like,” Hashe said. “I’ve had many converts over the years.” “Shakespeare for the Elizabethan Impaired” will be held at Cabrillo College, Room 403 on Wednesdays from June 22 through July 27 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Cost is $135 per person by June 6. $148 after June 6. To register, call 479-6331 or visit www.cabrilloextension.org For information, call (423) 505-9950 or email openlinescom@gmail.com.

HAUNTING THE BEACH

Fancy hats were the order of the day at an annual luncheon that serves as a fundraiser for agricultural education at the Driscoll’s plant on Corralitos Road. Photo by Tarmo Hannula

Luncheon enjoys recordbreaking attendance Staff report WATSONVILLE — The ninth annual Down to Earth Women Luncheon was held at Driscoll’s Rancho Corralitos in Watsonville on May 12, and had a record attendance of more than 300 women. This event is for women who are involved in, or support, agriculture in Santa Cruz County and the Pajaro Valley. The purpose of the luncheon is to raise funds for Agri-Culture’s Focus Agriculture program, the Jimmie Cox Memorial Scholarship fund and the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau’s school programs. This year’s featured speaker for the event was Christina Stembel, founder of Farmgirl Flowers, who spoke on the topic of “Growing Your Business.” Brittany Nielsen, news anchor for KSBW Action News 8, was the Mistress of Ceremonies for the luncheon. Also speaking at the event was Cynthia Druley, executive director of CASA of Santa Cruz County, who spoke about her experience as a participant in AgriCulture’s Focus Agriculture program. Maya CapurroFrosch, 2016 Jimmie Cox Memorial Scholarship recipient, spoke about her education and how the scholarship will help her achieve her degree.

APTOS — Eightysix years ago the concrete ship, S. S. Palo Alto, was docked at Seacliff Beach. Over time, it has suffered deterioration from the constant battering of the ocean. In the beginning, it was a popular nightspot for dinner, dancing and drinking, even though Prohibition still existed. Aptos resident Cathryn Grant uses the concrete ship in its heyday as the backdrop for her just released novel in the Haunted Ship Trilogy, “Haunting the Beach.” Set in 1930, this last of the series takes readers back to when Mary King Carmichael was 10 years old, and the S.S. Palo Alto was alive with activity. The circumstances of her mother’s death and the truth about the ghost that haunts the ship, which Mary grappled with in the first two books of the trilogy, are revealed. “After moving to Aptos in August 2014, I spent every morning walking on the beach,” Grant said. “I looked at the concrete ship and mourned its decaying condition. The more time I spent near the ‘Cement Boat,’ the more it haunted me. After a while, I focused on the two openings in the bow and wondered what it was like inside, what creepy things lurked in all the open cavities below the water.” The series began with “Alone on the Beach,” set in 2011, the second novel, “Slipping Away From the Beach,” returns to 1967. All three novels are available at Bookshop Santa Cruz and online bookstores. Grant is also the author of seven Suburban Noir novels and the Madison Keith Ghost Story series. Her short fiction has appeared in Alfred Hitchcock and Ellery Queen mystery magazines. For information, visit SuburbanNoir.com.

June 2016

6 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

Dorma Baker

Continued from page 1

jobs were scarce, she worked at a private school before starting as a substitute with PVUSD. “I started out as a teacher and was 100 percent happy doing that,” she said. “I would have been thrilled staying there.” Baker said she enjoyed all of her positions, but always missed being in the classroom. She said she still gets visits from former students. “Many of them tell me, ‘you were instrumental in my life, and you made a difference,’” Baker said. “Really, truly that’s the greatest reward you can have as an educator.” Baker took the reins in June 2008, just as the economic recession dug its claws into school districts across the state. In its wake, PVUSD cut more than $9 million, laying off teachers and school employees and slashing programs and services on every level. Now that the economy is rebounding, the district has given teachers a modest raise and has stopped deficit spending and for the first time in years is adding rather than subtracting. The district is bringing back socioemotional counselors to schools, and making other decisions “that will really help kids want to stay in school,” Baker said. Most recently, the trustees approved a plan to bring back visual and performing

arts, which includes hiring music teachers and adding an after-school music teacher for upper grades. “I wasn’t sure with all the cuts I would ever have the chance to do that in my lifetime,” Baker said. “There were some extreme budget decisions, but there are tough decisions that happen every day.” Baker said she will stay through the year, until the district finds a replacement. She said the trustees will likely bring in an outside firm to aid in the national search. Such a move is not unusual. Baker was Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources when she was chosen from among six other candidates after a statewide search. “It’s a challenging job, but I don’t think there is one that is more rewarding,” she said. PVUSD Trustee Kim De Serpa said she respects Baker’s ability to mediate and solve problems before they come to the forefront. “That is her greatest strength,” De Serpa said. “I don’t think I’ve ever met a finer superintendent and woman in my life. She is a lovely, poised, highly respected individual.” De Serpa said Baker’s life with the district made it more than a job for her. “She gave her life for the district,” she said. “It was a very poignant decision for her, and I don’t think she made it lightly.”

Dorma Baker, who became supervisor for the Pajaro Valley Unified School District in 2008, announced that she is stepping down. File photo by Tarmo Hannula

Shortest Parade $5 for adults are appreciated. Children are free. T-shirts featuring the World’s Shortest Parade logo, designed by Jon and Julie Rawls, are available for purchase in a variety of locations, including the Aptos

Continued from page 1

Chamber, Santa Cruz County Bank, Aptos Feed & Pet Supply and others. The deadline to enter a float in the parade is July 1. For information, call 688-1467, or visit aptoschamber.com.

Thousands of spectators line Soquel Drive during the World’s Shortest Parade in 2015. Photo courtesy of Aptos Chamber of Commerce

June 2016

LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 7

History Corner

Continued from page 1

Aptos Chamber of Commerce’s golf tournament

Scott McAlister takes a swing during the Aptos Chamber of Commerce’s golf tournament at Seascape Golf Club on May 18. Photo by Mark Pezzini Aptos History Museum archives

there were no covered bus stops then. And Porter Gulch would have been extremely remote. I don’t remember any kids coming to school from that area, in fact. I think that area was in the Soquel District. “So, these shelters were probably built some years after Cabrillo College opened in Aptos (1962), and the residential areas of Aptos began to fill in. They must have been bus stops, because transit service didn’t extend into remote areas, and did not on a regular schedule between Watsonville and Santa Cruz until after the Kemper murders in the early ‘70s.” (Yikes! That is another story for later). “If you wanted to ride a bus before

then, you took the Greyhound. “So, my official guess is that these are school bus stops that date, at the earliest, to the mid-to-late-1970s. How’s that?” I am sure that one of our readers knows the answer to this and I suspect that there are other bus shelters hidden in the county. Please help us to solve this mystery. I will be happy to give you a year’s membership in the museum for helping to illuminate our past and I will share the answer with all of you once we solve it. Thank you to every one who came to our 10th anniversary celebration and to all of you who help support the Aptos History Museum.

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8 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

June 2016

LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 9

County receives health care grants

Staff report SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — The County of Santa Cruz announced more than $3 million in grants to improve health care delivery and services for local residents. The State and federal grants will assist with facility improvements and expansion, and projects that will benefit clients needing crisis intervention and stabilization, mental health care and primary care services. The grants were awarded to the County’s Health Services Agency. “We work hard competing for grants to improve services for all our clients,” Health Services Agency Director Giang Nguyen said. “I appreciate my staff’s dedication and tireless effort to protect and

improve the health of our community.” At $1.2 million, the largest grant provides capital funding to assure the continued operation of 2nd Story, a peeroperated, adult crisis respite program that began in 2010 and was scheduled to end in 2015 following the expiration of a five-year federal grant. The new $1.2 million grant is from the California Health Facilities Financing Authority (CHFFA), which provides financial assistance to public and nonprofit health care providers throughout California. 2nd Story is operated by Encompass Community Services. It has been searching for a new home since the residential building that housed the program was sold. For information, visit www.encompasscs. org/community-support-services/2ndstory. “2nd Story has proven to be an effective

hospital diversion program. It is staffed by peer counselors, who have specialized training in working with other peers in crisis. We are pleased that this grant will provide funding to permanently house the program,” said Erik Riera, director of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services for the County of Santa Cruz. A $925,000 grant from the federal Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) will help remodel the clinic facility and expand exam rooms at the 1080 Emeline Ave. clinic, which serves Medi-Cal clients and other low-income populations. It was one of 290 grants nationwide, including 40 in California, issued to help build and improve health centers. Another HRSA grant, for $625,000, will assist with establishing medicationassisted therapy clinics and case

management for patients at county-run clinics living with substance use disorders, as well as expand staff training to better serve those patients. “It is so gratifying to see these federal dollars being spent to improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable community members throughout our county. We are thrilled to expand and enhance our services,” said Amy Peeler, Santa Cruz County’s Chief of Clinic Services. A third grant, for $247,000 and also issued by CHFFA, will fund renovations to expand facilities to serve youths at the behavioral health unit, improving response times for those children and their families. The grant will also support and expand the capabilities of the County’s Mobile Emergency Response Team (MERT).

Former County Supervisor Ellen Pirie speaks about her experience with the

Peace Corps in Ethiopia during the Aptos Chamber of Commerce’s breakfast meeting on May 12. Photo by Erik Chalhoub

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June 2016

10 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

Guest Columnist

The myRA Who is the myRA aimed at? The myRA is aimed at people who don’t have access to an employer sponsored plan and are looking for a place to begin saving for retirement. The myRA is not intended to be a substitute for employer sponsored retirement plans which might have special benefits such as an employer matching program.

By GARY E. CROXALL, CFP® and SOREN E. CROXALL, CFP® A couple of months ago, we wrote an article focusing on one type of IRA in particular: the Roth IRA. Over the past few months, we’ve received several questions regarding the government’s newest product aimed at getting people to save for retirement: the myRA, which was launched in November 2015. What is the myRA? The myRA is essentially a Roth IRA that was developed by the Department of the Treasury to allow people to take their “first steps” toward saving for retirement. myRA accounts cost nothing to open, have no ongoing fees, and don’t require any minimum contributions.

How is the myRA different from a Roth IRA? There are several similarities to the myRA and a Roth IRA. Just like a Roth IRA, your contributions to a myRA are after tax. In other words, there is no upfront tax savings by opening a myRA. However, down the road, provided you meet certain requirements, any earnings on the account can be withdrawn potentially tax free. Also, like a Roth IRA, if your income exceeds annual limits per IRS guidelines, you will not be able to contribute to myRA. Currently, the maximum contribution to a myRA is the same as a Roth IRA — $5,500 per year for people under 50 and $6,500 for people over 50. Also, keep in mind, $5,500 or $6,500 is the maximum you can contribute between ALL of your Traditional, Roth,

and myRA IRAs no matter if you have one account or 10 accounts. There are several key areas where the Roth IRA and myRA diverge. The biggest difference is where you can invest your money. With a Roth IRA, you typically can invest in a number of different investments based on your overall risk tolerance and time horizon. Not so with the myRA. Your contributions go one place: a Treasury bond. So while your myRA account is backed by the U.S. Government and not likely to lose money, the long-term growth potential is relatively low. Another key difference between a Roth IRA and the myRA is the maximum account balance allowed. With a myRA, once the account balance hits $15,000 or 30 years have elapsed from your first contribution (whichever comes first), you are required to transfer your myRA to a private sector Roth IRA. How can you fund a myRA? Funding a myRA is pretty simple. Your three options include: • Your paycheck – Set up direct deposit to your myRA with your employer • From your savings/checking account • From your federal tax refund Although not for everyone and not

Guest Columnist

intended as a long-term retirement solution ($15,000 or 30-year maximum), the myRA could be an easy first step towards developing a “habit of saving” for individuals who have no company funded retirement option and are looking to get started by putting some money away on a regular basis. More details can be found at the myRA.gov website. 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

Ask Nicole: Celebrating dads By NICOLE M. YOUNG, MSW I think about my dad often, particularly around Father’s Day. One of my most vivid and favorite childhood memories of him is riding to school on his bike. It wasn’t an ordinary ride — I was riding side-saddle on the cross bar of his 10-speed bicycle, held steady between his strong arms. I felt both terrified and thrilled as we flew down what seemed like the world’s steepest hill. I remember that my dad talked to me during the entire ride. I don’t recall what he said, but I remember he made me feel safe, reassured and special. Those hair-raising rides were meant to be a “practical” way to get me to school but, as the middle child among four siblings, I cherished the quality time with my dad. This monthly column provides tips for anyone who is raising children, based on the world-renowned Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, available to families in Santa Cruz County. If you have questions for a future column, email me at triplep@ first5scc.org. Dear Nicole, My partner and I have a 2-year-old daughter and a 3-month-old son. This is a dream come true for us because we’ve always wanted to be dads. However, neither of us were close to our dads when we were growing up and we don’t have close relationships with them

today. My partner’s father was abusive, and my dad was distant and unaffectionate. We want things to be different with our kids, but sometimes we feel like we don’t know what we’re doing since we didn’t have good role models. Can you help us out? Luke Dear Luke, Reaching out for help is a good step and a great sign that you are already wonderful dads. Fathers and father figures play a critical role in children’s well-being, yet many struggle to figure out their exact role. Some fathers have a more traditional view of their role as the primary “breadwinner” and find it hard to adapt to modern expectations of being actively involved in raising children. Other fathers want to be handson parents, but they’re learning how to be dads by trial-and-error because they did not have positive role models of their own. No matter what the cause of the struggle, there are proven strategies to help you build strong relationships with your children: Spend quality time with your children every day. Find moments throughout the day to give your children your undivided attention and affection. Turn everyday tasks such as changing diapers, eating meals and getting dressed into quality time by giving a hug, smiling or talking with them. This kind of brief and frequent quality time lets your

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children know you love and care for them, and that you’re available when they need you. This is the foundation for a lifelong positive relationship with them. Do engaging activities together. This is another way to spend quality time together while also encouraging learning, curiosity, creativity and skill-building. Read books, play games, go on walks, make meals together – these are all things you can do with your children at any age (even your infant) that will become the basis of their happy childhood memories. Do some activities that your children are interested in and let them take the lead. And yes, this could mean playing endless games of peeka-boo with your infant. Also introduce them to activities you and your partner enjoy to expand their horizons and bring you closer as a family. Work as a team with your family. Talk with your partner about your family rules and expectations, including how you will handle discipline. This will help make sure you’re on the same page as a parenting team before problems occur. Make time to talk and connect with your partner regularly. It’s easy to get consumed by daily responsibilities and forget to take care of the relationship, but remember that parenting is much easier and more enjoyable when you’re a strong team. Find the “right” balance between work and family. Many dads bring home stress and problems from work, which affects

their mood at home. Find ways to make a clear transition from work to family time. Drive around the block an extra time before pulling into your driveway, take five deep breaths before entering the house or tell yourself, “Let it go,” so that you’re mentally and emotionally ready to be present for your children. Final thoughts: The role of fathers and father figures has evolved significantly over the last several decades – and their role in a child’s healthy development is crucial. There are many positive examples of ways that men are redefining their role as dads and caregivers and deepening their involvement in raising children. That’s definitely something to celebrate! ••• Nicole Young is the mother of two children, ages 12 and 16, who also manages Santa Cruz County’s Triple P - Positive Parenting Program. Scientifically proven, Triple P is made available locally by First 5 Santa Cruz County, the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency (Mental Health Services Act) and the Santa Cruz County Human Services Department. For more information on Triple P classes and oneon-one sessions, visit triplep.first5scc.org, www.facebook.com/triplepscc or contact First 5 Santa Cruz County at 465-2217 or triplep@first5scc.org.

June 2016

LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 11

Guest Columnist

Preview of the 2016-2017 county budget

By ZACH FRIEND

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY SUPERVISOR

County budget hearings begin on June 20 and last a little over a week, with night hearings in both Santa Cruz and Watsonville over that time. The Board of Supervisors is reviewing the $696 million budget, which constitutes an approximately $16 million reduction from last year, during these hearings. In a recent budget message to the board, the County Administrative Officer noted that as the county emerged from the Great Recession, the board has worked to limit the growth of the overall budget while focusing on restoring reserves and investing in key

Guest Columnist

priorities. Specifically, the board has focused efforts on public safety, parks and health services with notable investments in mental health and substance abuse services, economic development and technological (broadband) improvements.  The proposed budget from county staff, reflective of recommendations from departments and input from the Board of Supervisors, includes the following elements: • Additional contributions toward reserves to further improve the county’s credit quality and ensure greater financial stability in a downturn. • An increase in public safety and health services positions (including federally funded positions as part of the Affordable Care Act). However, these increases are offset by reductions in other departments which lead to no overall net growth in county staffing (in fact a net decrease of four positions from last year) • Improvements to parks including within our district Seascape Park and Aldridge Lane Park.

How is the budget allocated? The discretionary portion of the county budget is what funds things such as parks and Sheriff’s deputies. Here is a breakdown of how those funds are allocated: 61 percent goes toward public safety including the Sheriff’s Office, Probation, District Attorney, Public Defender and County Fire. Seventeen percent goes to General Government functions such as economic development, county facilities and elections, among other things. Seven percent goes toward health services and sanitation (note these are the discretionary funds — there are much higher amounts that are state and federal pass through funds). Three percent is allocated to parks, recreation and culture. Other funds are used for community programs and public assistance programs such as Medi-Cal outreach and benefits assistance. Next steps While county revenues are up over last year, the county is still working on reducing its structural deficit. State economic forecasts anticipate a slowdown within the next few years and the county

is working to contain costs (and increase reserves) in advance of any downturn. There is no question that investments in local roads and infrastructure (and deferred maintenance on county facilities) need to be made soon and the county is working on ways to accomplish these goals. In addition, it’s important that the county continue to create policies that encourage economic opportunity locally to continue to grow revenues to provide essential services. These numbers outlined above are just a small part of the budget. While they provide the framework for our budget hearings, they aren’t set in stone. Your input in this process is key to ensuring your priorities are reflected in the budget. Interested in sharing your thoughts? Feel free to attend one of the day or nighttime budget hearings or you can always give me a call at 454-2200 to let me know your thoughts.

Guest Columnist

Why you need to be active in your local government By BECKY STEINBRUNER In the course of my campaign for Second District County Supervisor, I have had the pleasure of meeting many wonderful citizens who care deeply about their community and the environment. It bothers me greatly when people tell me they have stopped paying attention to county government because their concerns have gone unaddressed and their phone calls or emails unanswered. The common sentiment is that local government is corrupt, and there is little an ordinary citizen can do to make any changes. I have always felt county government is the most responsive to citizens’ concerns. It worries me when I hear that so many people have just given up on being involved in issues that affect their families and community. Elected officials need to know that the people are paying attention. It was by my research concerning the Aptos Village Project that the general public learned about a multitude of concessions the county government granted developer Barry Swenson Builder ... a waiver of $750 per bedroom to develop local parks, reduced affordable housing agreements, and county tax payers to refund $2-$5 million to reimburse Barry Swenson Builder for right of way costs within the Aptos Village Project. It was due to my questioning the Planning Department that the general

public learned about the devastating diesel spill and soil contamination problem at the Aptos Village Project. Indeed, citizens need to be involved in local government to guard the common public good. However, it is difficult to do so when all Board of Supervisor meetings are held at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays. Who can attend those key public hearings when Supervisors vote to support removing parental rights to make decisions that affect their children’s health? Who can wait all day for a chance to speak about affordable housing because the agenda item gets moved from morning to the afternoon? Few can be present to monitor and question those elected officials to ensure government transparency. In the Second District, our current Supervisor holds no evening constituent hours. Who can meet with him to discuss concerns when limited to certain Wednesdays, 9-10 a.m.? I have submitted numerous petitions to the Board of Supervisors asking that at least some of their meetings be held during evening hours. These petitions have been signed by 50-100 citizens every time, yet none has received a response from the board. Next month the Board of Supervisors will consider and approve the 2016-17 county budget, beginning Monday, June 20 through June 23, daily at 9 a.m. There will thankfully be two evening sessions

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as well: Monday, June 20, 7 p.m. at the Watsonville Civic Center and Tuesday, June 21, 7 p.m. at 701 Ocean St., Santa Cruz (room 525). Final adoption is set for Tuesday, June 28 at 1 p.m. at 701 Ocean St. I urge all citizens to review the budget information as much as possible. It is available online with a search of “Santa Cruz County Budget and Financial Report” or you can request a copy from your Supervisor. Santa Cruz County is currently operating at a $12.7 million deficit. We are being asked to approve all manner of tax increases on the ballot to fund basic services such as public transportation, road repairs and libraries. There are plans to add a tax increase for County Fire Protection (CSA 48). Where has all the money gone? One must examine the proposed budget and ask questions. Although imposing, I try to begin with a single issue within the budget that means alot to me and investigate it. This year, that topic is County Fire protection for rural areas. When I read over the proposed budget, I learned that the County Fire Department’s reserve fund balance will be zero by this time next year. Staffing will remain at a substandard level of two firefighters per vehicle rather than the National Fire Protection Association recommended four. I learned that what little money there is in the reserve fund must be completely spent

because “catastrophic equipment failures have necessitated equipment purchases in order to meet minimum response requirements.” There is money available to fund County Fire via Proposition 172 state (half-cent) sales tax funding. This measure was passed overwhelmingly by California voters in 1993 by special election on the heels of a devastating Southern California wildfire that destroyed over 1,000 homes. Since then, each county is annually given the resulting money to distribute between fire protection and law enforcement as deemed appropriate. The proposed 2016-17 county budget recommends once again that County Fire receive only 0.5 percent of these state sales tax monies ($87,046) even though all reserve funding will be completely depleted. Law enforcement will receive the remainder: $835,446. I urge you to do your best to monitor and question our elected officials. They indeed need to be reminded of their accountability to citizens through transparent and responsive government. And, make sure to vote on June 7 for those you feel will best represent you. I cannot afford large, expensive campaign signs, but I really do care about the community. I welcome your thoughts. ••• Becky Steinbruner can be reached at ki6tkb@yahoo.com or 685-2915.

12 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

JUNE 2016

Staka sets record, takes home 100 back state title By TONY NUNEZ Aptos High’s Chris Staka continued his domination of the state of California with a resounding championship performance at the second annual California Interscholastic Federation Swimming and Division championships on May 21 in Clovis. The senior Mariner not only won the CIF swimming title in the 100-yard backstroke but he also set the meet record in the event with a time of 47.39 seconds in the Clovis Olympic Swim Complex at Clovis West High. Staka entered the meet as the top seed in the event after shattering the previous 100 back record at the Central Coast Section Swimming and Diving Championships just a week before with a time of 47.18 to repeat as the section champ. During May 20’s CIF prelims he held his seed by cruising to a first-place finish with a time of 47.67, which was then the state meet record. The future University of Alabama swimmer left no doubt during May 21’s championship, beating secondplace finisher Benjamin Ho, of St. Francis High,

by more than a full second and snapping his own record from the day before. Staka, who helped the Aptos boy’s team to its third straight Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League championship, drastically improved from last year’s finish at the inaugural state meet. In 2015, Staka took second in the consolation final of the 100 back (50.08) and was fourth in the 100 butterfly (48.22). This season Staka dropped the 100 fly, instead choosing to double up with the 100 back and 100 freestyle. He took second in the 100 free at the CCS Championship with a time of 44.65 and swam the fourth fastest time in the event (45.76) at the CIF prelims. At May 21’s CIF Championships, Staka finished seventh overall (46.33) in the 100 free. Aptos High’s Chris Staka cruises to the finish in the 100-yard backstroke at May 14’s Central Coast Section Swimming and Diving Championships at the the George F. Haines International Swim Center in Santa Clara. Photo by Tony Nunez

June 2016

LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 13

Twilight Concert series to start in Capitola Staff report CAPITOLA — The 2016 Twilight Concerts are set to begin June 8 at the Esplanade Park Bandstand. The June through August concerts, which are free, run Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. Bring a picnic or dine at one of the many area restaurants, many of which sponsor the concerts. Seating is on the lawn, seawall, benches or the beach. The public is welcome to bring low back chairs or picnic blankets. Warm jackets are suggested for cool evenings. Alcohol or dogs are not allowed in the park or on the beach. Twilight Concerts has been taking place for the past 32 years. The series kicks off with the Cocktail Monkeys, who deliver rock, pop and rhythm and blues. To view an entire list of performers, visit www. cityofcapitola.org.

Pier at concrete ship reopens State Park Rangers reopened a portion of the pier that leads out to the concrete ship, S.S. Palo Alto, May 26 following repairs. Winter storms damaged part of the pier and officials closed it off in February at Seacliff State Beach. Photo by Tarmo Hannula

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14 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

APTOS

SOQUEL

CAPITOLA

JUNE Ongoing

June 4-5

Aptos Noon Toastmasters

Rod & Custom Classic Car Show

Aptos Noon Toastmasters will be held every Wednesday at 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at Rio Sands Hotel, 116 Aptos Beach Drive. A group of people at all levels of experience from beginners to more advanced to help you discover your voice and share it effectively. Everyone is welcome. For more information visit Facebook.com/ AptosNoonToastmasters or call 2361171.

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

June 2

Featuring more than 300 hot rods, muscle cars, coupes, roadsters, customs and classics – vintage to 1972 — the car show will take place at the Esplanade in Capitola Village. The show will also feature vendor booths, music, raffle, trophies, NASCAR race cars, and more. The cars will cruise the coastline on June 4 from the Santa Cruz Boardwalk to Capitola starting at 8:30 am. For information, visit www. capitolacarshow.com.

Museum Board, 5:30 p.m. Soquel Creek Water Board, 6 p.m. (at Community Foundation, 7807 Soquel Drive, Aptos)

June 8

Architectural & Site Review 3:30 p.m.

June 9

City Council, 7 p.m.

June 14

Library Advisory Committee, 3:30 p.m. Art & Cultural Commission 6:30 p.m.

June 16

City Council, 6 p.m.

Avant Garden Party

The 35th annual Avant Garden Party will take place from 2-6 p.m. at “The Garden,” 2701 Monterey Ave. in Soquel. Presented by New Music Works, the AZA sextet, led by cofounders Fattah Abbou and Mohamed Aoualou, will bring Moroccan Berber music to Santa Cruz; The Ariose Singers perform music by Saad Haddad and other works; plus, Jennifer Cass harpist, Lars Johannesson, flutist, Singing Wood Marimba ensemble and Bill Walker, electric guitarist. The NMW Ensemble perform chestnuts of the 2015-16 season. For information, visit newmusicworks.org.

June 15 Networking lunch

The Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce will hold a networking lunch at Bargetto Winery, 3535 N. Main St. in Soquel from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is $20 for chamber members, $25 for nonmembers.

June 16 Mixer

The Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce will hold a mixer at Inner Light Center, 5630 Soquel Drive in Soquel. Admission is $5 for chamber members, $10 for nonmembers.

Planning Commission, 7 p.m.

June 7

June 5

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Featuring local bands on two stages ranging from rock to reggae to funk including headliner Coffee Zombie Collective; skate board contest; 70-plus vendors of arts, crafts, local services, and food; beer and wine garden; plus kid’s zone with crafts, face painting, balloon animals and photo booth. A benefit for Jay Moriarity Foundation. Organized by Pleasure Point Business Association. The fair takes place from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Free admission. Portola Drive between 41st and 38th Avenues, Santa Cruz. For information, visit www. pleasurepointstreetfair.com.

The event will take place at Soquel Village from 1-5 p.m. For information, call the Capitola-Soquel Chamber at 475-6522.

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June 21

Soquel Creek Water Board 6 p.m.

June 22

Architectural & Site Review 3:30 p.m. Commission on the Environment, 6 p.m.

June 23

City Council, 7 p.m.

June 28 Sons in Retirement luncheon

The Aptos Branch Sons in Retirement will hold a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at Severino’s Restaurant, 7500 Old Dominion Court. Sam Bishop will talk about the Flying Doctors. Call Jim for information at 708-4133.

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June 2016

LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 15

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Cabrillo College Student Senate members Austin Yungmeyer (from left), Marlyn Escobar-Zamora, Essy Barroso-Ramirez (president), Alexander James Ayres and David Luevano pose for a photo at the commencement ceremony for Cabrillo College in Aptos. Photo by Tarmo Hannula

taking other classes. Fascinated with the chemistry of baking and cooking, she found her calling in food science. She researched the UC Davis Food Science program and registered for her first chemistry class at Cabrillo. She graduated with honors with an Associate of Science in Chemistry. “Without Cabrillo I wouldn’t have been able to go to college at all,” she said. “It was the only path I could see as an option.” Essy Barroso-Ramirez’s parents came to the U.S. from Mexico.

Born and raised in Santa Cruz, BarrosoRamirez entered Cabrillo in fall 2011 and enrolled in the school’s Students Transitioning in Academics: Researching Success program, designed for firstgeneration students like her. There, she met counselors who encouraged her to attend full-time and pursue her goal of nursing. In addition to studying full-time, Barroso-Ramirez worked at the Cabrillo library and in the Enrollment Services department.

She was active in the Student Senate, serving as Senator, Vice President and President. Barroso-Ramirez said she draws her greatest motivation from her family, and attributes a big part of her academic success to “the fine educators of Cabrillo College.” Barroso-Ramirez graduated with Associate of Arts degrees in Health Science/Community Health, Spanish, Communication Studies and Liberal Arts and Sciences. She received the

Communication award and a Phlebotomy Skills Certificate. Barroso-Ramirez will attend San Jose State University in the fall to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Health Science with a specialization in Health Services Administration and a minor in forensic science. She hopes to get a master’s degree in nursing and pursue a career as a forensic nurse.