JUNE 2018 EVERYTHING APTOS, CAPITOLA & SOQUEL Vol. 6 No. 10
Black belt brothers
Sports
APTOS
Aptos High dedicated its baseball diamond
SOQUEL
pg. 3
pg. 13
CAPITOLA
The Congregational Church of Soquel, built in 1868, is now 150 years old. Turn to page 2 for the story. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
HISTORY CORNER
Recognizing the underdog
By John Hibble Call: 688-1467
Artist funds awards for students
Visit us online: aptoshistory.org
By TODD GUILD
Visit the museum: 7605-B Old Dominion Court Aptos, CA
The water of life,
Brandon Gruber. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
part one
Capitola Beach Festival scheduled for Sept. 29-30 Staff report CAPITOLA — Organizers of the Capitola Begonia Festival, which concluded in 2017 after 65 years, have formed a new event. At the conclusion of the final festival, the Capitola Begonia
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Festival Board of Directors developed a plan to honor past festivals and launch a new festival. The board formed the Capitola Beach Festival Committee. Scheduled for Sept. 29 and 30, the Beach Festival will continue the Please turn to Page 3
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Watsonville’s Independent Bookstore
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Begonia Festival organizes new event
The word “whisky” comes from Scottish and Irish Gaelic, “uisge beatha,” or “usquebaugh,” meaning “water of life.” Many other countries give the same name to their distilled spirits including “eau de vie” in France, “acquavite” in Italy, and “akvavit” in Scandinavia. Why would anyone want to take away something as essential as the “water of life”? Unfortunately, working men sometimes had the habit of spending their wages on imbibing too much of this precious water and not bringing any money home to their wives and children. Obviously, this was not a well thought out strategy by the men. In the 1800s, temperance movements were formed to ban alcohol and to improve public morals. Eventually, they were successful at creating prohibition in the United States. The act was passed in January of 1919 and took effect on Please turn to Page 7
APTOS — When he was in school, Brandon Gruber occasionally found himself in the role of the underdog, and occasionally the target of bullies. But he always rose above it. Gruber, now 22, is hoping he can help others do the same. He recently launched the Diamond Awards, for students who find themselves in similar situations. This can include those that are
struggling to learn English or those with special needs, who may otherwise be overlooked. Pajaro Valley Unified School District officials were asked to choose two students from every school to earn a Diamond Award at their end-of-the-year awards ceremonies. “It’s for students that try their hardest,” Gruber said. Born with Down syndrome,
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Chamber update ................2 Briefs .................................4-5 Guest columns ...................9 Calendar .............................15 PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID WATSONVILLE, CA PERMIT NO. 23 ******ECRWSSEDDM****** POSTAL CUSTOMER APTOS, CA 95003 CAPITOLA. CA 95010
JUNE 2018
2 - LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
Soquel Church celebrates 150 years By TARMO HANNULA SOQUEL — Members of the Congregational Church of Soquel are celebrated 150 years of their majestic white steeple church in the heart of Soquel Village with an “Art and History Weekend.” Extensive displays of historic photos, some from the late 1800s, newspaper clippings, post cards and memorabilia were exhibited around the church’s campus May 19-20. The event featured several speakers, including historians Ralph Gibson and Geoffrey Dunn, as well as art, live music, games, a Sunday brunch and worship, a “timeline walk” and historical re-enactments. The Soquel Pioneers also played a role in the various presentations. The landmark white church itself was built in 1870 on land that was donated by Joshua and Narcissa Parrish. The couple had built a large home on the same property, which was then North Main Street and Parrish Lane. There, they planted wheat and potatoes. Since there were no churches in Soquel around the time Narcissa Parrish invited community
APTOS
women to attend weekly prayer meetings in her home. In 1868, Lulu Hall, a schoolteacher, started a Sunday School in Soquel’s oneroom schoolhouse. “From these prayer meetings and the Sunday School emerged a ‘society’ that led to the organization of the Congregational Church of Soquel and its ultimate construction in 1870,” church organizers said. Mark Fountain is the current minister.
SOQUEL
This detail photo shows a section of one of numerous leaded glass pieces in the sanctuary of the Congregational Church of Soquel. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
The Congregational Church of Soquel is shown in an 1880 photograph. Contributed
CAPITOLA
Publisher - Jeanie Johnson Editor - Erik Chalhoub Editorial Todd Guild, Johanna Miller, Tony Nuñez, Tarmo Hannula Photography - Tarmo Hannula Advertising Sales Tina Chavez, Jazmine Ancira Production - Mike Lyon Rob Chalhoub
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 RegisterPajaronian. Publishing in Santa Cruz County since 1868.
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Exciting news for Aptos High School. Robert and Paul Bailey were honored to have the baseball stadium at Aptos High School renamed Bailey Park at a ceremony May 8. They were proud and humbled by the dedication. Though the stadium now bears their name, an immense amount of the credit goes to the Aptos Sports Foundation co-founded by Paul Bailey 39 years ago. Through years of hard work, fundraising and support from the Aptos community, the foundation has contributed more than $4,000,000 to the sports programs and facilities. This has come from
By KAREN HIBBLE
APTOS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
fundraising efforts and contributions. The Baileys wish to thank Principal Peggy Pughe, Athletic Director Mark Dorfman and the entire team at Aptos High School. It is all about the kids. The student athletes bring honor to the community through their athletic and academic achievements. The Baileys are proud to support of Aptos High School and our community. It takes a community to save a museum. Special thanks to our committee members, Seacliff Insertions, Tammy’s Flower Connection, and Soquel High Jazz Band for creating the most exciting
Kentucky Derby party fundraiser we could imagine. We are very grateful that so many people care about our Aptos History Museum and were able to come out and support the museum and watch the Kentucky Derby with us. Thank you. The Fourth of July is fast approaching. Please mark your calendar for Wednesday, July 4 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. for a day of celebration. We will begin the day with a pancake breakfast hosted by burger. Aptos from 7-10 a.m. At 10 a.m. the parade sets off with floats, antique cars, pets, children, and of course the Watsonville Community Band. Please join us in cheering on our teachers, students and schools this year and welcome Michael Watkins, Superintendent of Schools for the County Office of Education, as our Grand Marshal. Right after the parade, please come to the Party in the Park, featuring the music of Extra Large, plus games, food and beverages. Dance along with your neighbors and enjoy this special holiday that has become one of Aptos’ signature events. This year’s Fourth of July T-shirt is amazing. Stop by early and buy your shirt at Aptos Feed, Santa Cruz County Bank, the UPS Store, Cinnamon Bay clothing store, the Chamber office or Deluxe Foods of Aptos. The shirt was designed by nomBat Designs and promises to sell out. Celebrate, Aptos-style. ••• Karen Hibble is co-executive director of the Aptos Chamber of Commerce.
JUNE 2018
LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel - 3
Stronger together Black belt brothers take life lessons from karate By TODD GUILD SOQUEL — A little more than six years ago, triplets Kevin, David and Jason Gonzalez and their brother Flavio walked into Sanford’s Martial Arts in Soquel for the first time, tied the white belt of a novice around their waist and began a journey that has required years of work, focus and dedication. Through the years, the Watsonville residents learned the series of moves and techniques that allowed them to move up through the ranks, respectively earning their yellow, orange, blue, green, purple and brown belts. The triplet brothers earned their black belts together, four years after they began. Although that is the highest-ranking color, their journey is far from over. They plan on continuing their training after they graduate this year, and throughout their lives. “A black belt is always learning,” David said. “We’re always improving ourselves.” Kevin and Jason are seniors at Pajaro Valley High School. David attends Pacific Coast Charter School, which he said offers him a respite from the hustle and bustle of the larger school. Flavio, 16, stopped training for a year after he was sidelined by a pelvis fracture. Still, he has since earned his brown belt, just one step from black. “I like the discipline, and how it teaches you not just self control, but to be selfaware,” Flavio said. “You’re always aware of your surroundings.” Kevin said he started karate because it was the only sport that caught his interest. Through the years, however, the brothers discovered that the activity had evolved into a lifestyle. “I wanted a sport that would develop myself to become a well-rounded person,” he said. “You strive to become the best version of yourself.” This has proven to be true in more ways than just the physical sense. All three have earned at least 4.0 GPAs. “And this is truly because of martial arts,” Kevin said. David said that performing the series of moves called katas — often in front of audiences and always in front of their teachers — has given him a self-assurance that inspired him to try acting. All have performed in several stage productions. “It has given me self confidence in everything I do,” he said. “I get control for the mind and body.” Jason agreed. “It allows me to improve not just
mentally and physically, but as a whole person,” he said. “It gives me a desire to self-improve constantly.” The brothers also say they have gained life skills as they evolved from students into teachers. The trio volunteered for years at the dojo helping to teach the younger students, racking up more than 400 community service hours, far surpassing the 40 hours required by Pajaro Valley Unified School District for graduation. They became dojo employees in January. “They have been awesome students, and they have been great influential role models,” said manager and head instructor Sean Sanford, whose father Rod Sanford founded the dojo. Although they learn punches and kicks, and learn to use various weapons, students at Sanford Martial Arts practice Shorinji Ryu, a style of karate that does not focus on fighting. Instead, adherents learn hundreds of self-defense moves, which lies at the core of the dojo’s philosophy. Students learn such concepts as perseverance and self-control, and to be kind and helpful. They are also taught that it is far better to avoid conflict, and that fighting is a last resort. “It’s more about character development,” Sanford said. For the young students, that means a “mat chat” during each class, where the teacher — known as the sensei — leads discussions on such life skills as selfdiscipline and effectively dealing with bullying. The boys’ mother Veronica Gonzalez started her sons in martial arts when she saw how much bullying some students endure in school. “I didn’t want them to go through that,” she said. “I wanted them to learn self defense.” Veronica Gonzalez said that participation in karate has built her sons into responsible, patient, respectful young men. “I’m very proud of them, and very happy,” she said. “It hasn’t been easy, but they are good sons and good students.” In the summer following their junior year, the brothers went to Watsonville’s Digital NEST, where they bolstered their video production skills. They took those back to school with plans to revamp Pajaro Valley High’s Grizzly News, which at that time was merely a way for teachers to relay information to students. The rebranded Grizzly Entertainment Channel is now a student-led service that features interviews with teachers and
Begonia Festival traditional Sand Sculpture Contest, Fishing Derby, Rowboat Races, and Horseshoe Tournament. Plans are also underway for a three-mile foot race and a Nautical Parade. Replacing begonias, the committee hopes to launch the first lighted boat
David Gonzalez (from left) and his brothers Jason and Kevin strike a pose during a warm up exercise at in their karate class at Sanford’s Martial Arts in Soquel. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
Flavio Gonzalez works through a karate move. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
community news, among other things. That channel can be viewed at tinyurl. com/y8luk4fy. “They drive it and bring the ideas and make the magic happen,” said technology teacher Kristie Jud. “They are super enthusiastic, really excited to learn, and so creative.” Jud said she hopes the project will continue under the leadership of other students after the Gonzalez brothers graduate. PVHS drama teacher Gabriel Robledo praised the brothers’ work ethic, and said they have been involved in some capacity
with every stage production for the past two years. “If they are not working lights, they are onstage or directing,” Robledo said. “They are excellent students, they are very respectful and very happy.” Kevin, David and Jason plan to continue pursuing drama at California Polytechnic State University in Pomona, where they start in the fall. All will major in business and drama. Never was it an option to go to different colleges, Jason said. “We’re stronger when we’re together,” he said.
Historical Museum to archive and curate the history of the Begonia Festival. The Begonia Festival ended in 2017 with the retirement of the Brown Family at Golden State Bulb Growers. All of Capitola’s begonias came from Golden
State’s tuber growing fields. They recently sold their AmeriHybrid and Antonelli tuberous begonias to Pan American Seed (PAS) based in Chicago, Ill.
Continued from page 1
parade on Soquel Creek. Volunteers are welcome at the planning meetings on the first Monday of the month, 6:30 p.m. at Capitola City Hall Community Room. To honor the past, the Festival presented a check for $10,000 to the Capitola
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Experience. Integrity. Results. Crowds line the mouth of Soquel Creek at the final Begonia Festival in 2017 after a showcase of 65 years in Capitola. File photo by Tarmo Hannula
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JUNE 2018
4 - LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
CELTIC SOCIETY
FARMERS MARKET
BARGETTO WINERY
Bargetto Winery to release 2014 La Vita Staff report
Irish musician John Doyle will perform in Soquel on June 5. Contributed photo
John Doyle to play house concert Staff report SOQUEL — The Celtic Society of the Monterey Bay will present guitarist and singer/songwriter John Doyle on June 5 at 7:30 p.m. at a house concert in Soquel. The Irish musician has long been known for his guitar and bouzouki work, from his early days with Irish supergroup Solas, to his duo work with fiddler Liz Carroll, to his work with Nuala Kennedy and Eamon O’Leary as the Alt, to his collaboration with Scottish fiddler John Mckusker and piper Mike McGoldrick. Advance tickets are available online for $22. Reservations are also available by contacting Lynda Haworth at reservations@haworth.org or 464-9778. Celtic Society members receive a $2 discount. Visit www.celticsociety.org for tickets, reservations, and information. The Celtic Society of the Monterey Bay has its origins in 1989 when it was formed to provide opportunities for local musicians and promote Celtic music and culture around the Monterey Bay. Now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a large membership, the Celtic Society of the Monterey Bay has a reputation for bringing Celtic music from across the globe to the local area.
The Seascape Village Certified Farmers Market returns this year to the Courtyard of The Shops At Seascape Village. File photo by Tarmo Hannula
Farmers market returns to The Shops At Seascape Village Courtyard Staff report APTOS — The Seascape Village Certified Farmers Market, which for the past two seasons was held in the Seascape Sports Club parking lot, returns this year to the Courtyard of The Shops At Seascape Village (northeast corner of Sumner Avenue and Seascape Boulevard) Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Sept. 30. The market features organic produce, fresh cut flowers and more. Farmers market shoppers can also relax and enjoy a brunch from the Seascape Foods Deli as well as other restaurants while listening to harmonica jazz by Slide Man Slim & Penny Hanna, returning for their 10th season to this farmers market (music starts at 11 a.m.). For information, contact Dustin Nelson, Farmers Market manager, at nelsonfamilyorganics@gmail. com.
SOQUEL — On June 10, Bargetto Winery will release its 2014 La Vita. will be released. La Vita is a blend of Santa Cruz Mountains varietals grown in the Regan Estate Vineyards. The release party will take place in the winery’s creek-side courtyard and will showcase the new La Vita wine. This 17th release of La Vita (“life” in Italian) comes from the 2014 vintage. This hand-crafted wine was aged for two-and-a-half years in oak barrels and then aged for an additional one year in the bottle prior to release. The 2014 harvest yielded just 3,960 bottles. With 40 percent of the vintage pre-sold, a limited number of bottles remain for sale. “La Vita wine is our finest effort in winemaking, starting from growing these unique grapes, to producing the wine, to designing the art-series label,” said John Bargetto, director of winemaking. “Each year the wine gets richer and more complex. The wine series has won numerous gold medals, and the 2006 won ‘Best Italian Blend in California’ award. We are very pleased to be able to, in a formal way, give back some of the proceeds to the Santa Cruz community, which has been so supportive to Bargetto Winery during our past 85 vintages.” Each year, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of La Vita goes to a local nonprofit organization. At the release party, the Pajaro Valley Community Health Trust will be recognized as the 2014 beneficiary. The Soquel High Scholarship Fund was the donation from last year’s La Vita. The La Vita release party is set for Sunday, June 10 from 3-5 p.m. at Bargetto Winery, 3535 N. Main St. in Soquel. Tickets are limited to 80 wine club members and 80 general public (cost $30). Tickets can be purchased online at www.bargetto.com or by calling Bargetto Winery at 475-2258, extension 10. La Vita retails for $60 per bottle.
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JUNE 2018
LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel - 5
MUSIC TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
Music scholarships available
County sues pharmaceutical companies
Staff report SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — Applications are now being accepted for the Santa Cruz County Music Teachers’ Association scholarships for music lessons based on financial need and enthusiasm. “Opportunity Grant” Scholarships provide private music lessons to young people whose families are financially unable to afford musical study in piano, violin, viola, voice, flute, oboe, clarinet and saxophone. To qualify, students must be enrolled in a Santa Cruz County school or be a home-schooled resident, in grades 2 through 12 during the ensuing school year. Students should have regular access to a practice instrument of study. The application includes a brief financial statement. Families are responsible for a small copayment, the costs of educational materials and must provide transportation to and from the weekly lessons, which are held at the homes or studios of participating MTAC teachers. The scholarships remain in effect for one school year beginning in September. Scholarships may be renewable on a year-to-year basis, provided funds remain available and acceptable musical progress is being made. Applications for 2018-2019 must be received by June 15. Interviews will be held in early summer. Applications are available in English or Spanish online at sccmtac.org. For applications by mail, or for information, call Kit Birskovich at 332-2891.
Complaint alleges drug companies in complicit opioid crisis Staff report SANTA CRUZ — The County of Santa Cruz has filed a complaint against several pharmaceutical corporations, alleging that they are complicit in fueling the national opioid crisis. The 140-page complaint accuses opioid manufacturing companies of racketeering, negligence, fraud, false advertising and creating a public nuisance. According to the complaint, drug manufacturers downplayed the risks of prescription opioids in order to increase sales. The complaint further alleges that manufacturers and distributors failed to report suspicious sales as required by state and federal law. In doing so, the defendants greatly expanded their potential market by millions of patients while leaving local communities to pay the price for the epidemic. Santa Cruz County joins hundreds of local governments across the U.S., including a majority of California counties, in filing suit against the opioid manufacturers and distributors. The suit is represented by a team of law firms led by Robbins Geller Gudman & Dowd, which also represents the City of Los Angeles in similar litigation and is a member of the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee in the Nationwide Multi-District Litigation currently pending in Ohio. The 140-page complaint names such giants as Purdue Pharma, Cephalon Inc., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc., Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc., Insys Therapeutics Inc., Mallinckrodt, AmerisourceBergen Corp., Cardinal Health Inc. and McKesson Corp.
ROBOTICS
A team from Aptos High School won first place in the Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Regional underwater robotics competition. Contributed photo
Aptos High team wins robotics competition Staff report WATSONVILLE — A team from Aptos High School won first place in the Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Regional underwater robotics competition held May 12 at Watsonville High School. A total of 57 student teams from around Northern California came to Watsonville High to compete in the competition. Pajaro Valley Unified School District had 13 teams compete ranging in grade levels from 6th-12th grade. The winning Aptos High School team will continue on to the International Competition on June 21 to be held in Washington State. Aptos HS has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to help pay for travel costs at www.gofundme.com/rov/international/ champions. “Students learn and apply science, technology, engineering, and math skills as they develop underwater robots to complete missions based on real world issues and events,” said Rob Hoffman, PVUSD’s Science and Career Technical Education Coordinator. “These are critical skills necessary for their future careers.”
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6 - LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
Celebrating schools, honoring the community World’s Shortest Parade approaches
The T-shirt design for this year’s World’s Shortest Parade.
By ERIK CHALHOUB APTOS — This year, marchers in the World’s Shortest Parade on the Fourth of July will be honoring the hard work students and teachers accomplish day in and day out. Leading the parade as grand marshal will be Michael Watkins, Santa Cruz County Office of Education superintendent of schools. Kicking off the festivities is a pancake breakfast at Burger, 7941 Soquel Drive, from 7-10 a.m. The breakfast includes pancakes, eggs, sausage, orange juice and coffee. The parade then runs from 10 a.m. to noon, traveling from the corner of Soquel and State Park drives to the Bay View Hotel. After the parade is Party in the Park at Aptos Village Park, featuring live music by Extra Large, as well as games for children, a petting zoo, arts and crafts and more.
Party in the Park runs to 4 p.m., and a $5 donation is suggested. Karen Hibble, coexecutive director of the Aptos Chamber of Commerce, said Dancers from the Pacific Arts Complex wowed the crowd with their moves during the World’s the parade, which has Shortest Parade in Aptos in 2017. File photo by Johanna Miller been an Aptos tradition for nearly six decades, is a generational celebration. The parade has its roots in 1961, when “Without our volunteers and first “People are just so Aptos residents Lucille Aldrich, Anne and responders, we couldn’t do it,” she said. glad to be in a community where we can ••• still celebrate and enjoy one another,” she Albert Isaacs and others were successful Those who are interested in participating said. “Just enjoy where we live. Just enjoy in their fight to prevent a zoning law that all your neighbors, and enjoy what Aptos would have paved the way for a cement in the parade can register by calling the plant in Aptos Village. A celebration Aptos Chamber of Commerce at 688-1467 has to offer. It’s very special.” About 800 people march in the parade was held on Memorial Day, and was the or visiting www.aptoschamber.com. Commemorative T-shirts are available annually, with a varying number of floats inspiration behind a Fourth of July parade for purchase at the UPS Store, Pacific rolling down Soquel Drive, including two months later. The parade would not be possible Coffee Company, Aptos Feed, Santa Cruz dance groups, dogs, children, antique cars, the Watsonville Community Band and without the 100 or so people it takes to put County Bank, Cinnamon Bay, Deluxe Foods and the Aptos Chamber. it on, Hibble said. more.
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JUNE 2018
History Corner
LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel - 7 Continued from page 1
Jan. 17, 1920, almost 100 years ago. One Aptos entrepreneur could not even wait for prohibition to pass before he was in trouble over the sale and use of alcohol. Patrick Walsh, an immigrant from Ireland, had purchased the land on the bayside of Soquel Drive and Trout Gulch Road in 1865. He built a home and the first full service hotel in Aptos. The hotel was called Live Oak House and it contained a saloon and card room which became very popular with the locals and travelers alike. Before prohibition, the California legislature had passed a local option law in 1911 which allowed local jurisdictions to decide whether or not to prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages. The Aptos District voted itself “dry” in November of 1912. After 50 years in business, Walsh was not about to close his saloon. He was warned, and then arrested, but no judge in the Aptos District was willing to find him guilty. Ultimately, the District Attorney brought charges. Walsh was found guilty, and at the age of 83, he was the oldest person in California to face sentencing. He was unwilling to pay the $300 fine, so he was remanded to jail. He was kept in an unlocked cell where he played cards with his friends and drank whisky, since alcohol was still legal in Santa Cruz. The National Prohibition Act prohibited the production, sale, and transport of intoxicating liquors. Human nature being what it is, people who had never consumed alcohol suddenly wanted it. Oddly enough, Scotch could still be legally imported into the United States by six Scottish distilleries because it could be considered a medicine with a doctor’s prescription. Each ill person was permitted one pint every 10 days. Surprisingly, the demand for medicinal Scotch went through the roof and the six distilleries could not keep up, so both legitimate and illegitimate Scotch from other producers was shipped to Canada and the West Indies which were close enough to the United States for it to be smuggled in. Fake and watered down whiskys were rampant, so Cutty Sark, a new, lighter brand of blended Scotch, was created exclusively for export. It was shipped to the Bahamas for the American market by a Captain McCoy. His reputation for bringing real Scotch whisky led to the expression, “It’s the real McCoy.”
Rio Del Mar was a main entry point for booze from Canada. Monterey was too rocky. When the moon and tides were right, ships and boats would sail into shallow water anywhere from New Brighton to La Selva Beach. A small boat would bring a line from the main ship to the beach and the sacks of Scotch would slide down the line to the beach where they would be packed onto trucks. Locals would sometimes show up to help unload the whisky. They would be paid $20 for a couple hours of work and maybe get a couple bottles of Scotch. The trucks would go to storage places in La Selva Beach or up Trout Gulch or Valencia Roads. One of the storage places was Johnnie Ross’s Ranch at 1051 Valencia Road. Johnnie Ross was the builder and caretaker of the Forest Glen subdivision. When the Sheriff would raid places like these, they would take the liquor to a garage at the county corporation yard where it gradually disappeared. In 1924, more than 100 sacks of illicit Scotch whiskey (worth $45,000) were seized at Aptos Beach. Alcohol distributed from our beaches was believed to have supplied much of Northern California. Based on the money to be made, there was a certain amount of local graft and corruption during this period. The liquor profits helped to finance organized crime and bootleggers carried guns, including machine guns. In Seacliff, the bootlegger ships would unload the Scotch right onto the Concrete ship. Party goers would also bring their own bottles with them to the dances on the Palo Alto, where empty bottles could be discreetly dropped over the side. After the Palo Alto was cracked in 1932, smugglers still found it easier to unload alcohol onto the ship and wheelbarrow it to the trucks instead of using a dinghy. Eventually, a night watchman was hired and scared bootleggers away with the searchlight. The Rio Del Mar Country Club hotel was just up the road from the landing points and staff could readily pick up their supplies from the beach. The inside and outside walls of the hotel were far enough apart to walk between, so that bootleg liquor could be stored out of sight. Edward Boyd Stewart was the Secretary of the Rio Del Mar Country Club and lived just up the street at 309 Rio Del Mar Blvd. When his house was remodeled
Edward Boyd Stewart’s home at 309 Rio Del Mar Blvd., circa 1930. Aptos History Museum archives
The Live Oak House is shown in 1890. Aptos History Museum archives
in the 1960s, a hidden compartment was found under the staircase with two cases of premium Scotch whisky left over from prohibition. Eventually, another case of Scotch was found inside the garage wall. The Deer Park Tavern, (now Bittersweet Bistro), was another notorious watering
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Patrick Walsh. Aptos History Museum archives
hole. By the end of the “Great War,” (WWI), Americans had developed an interest in Scotch whisky. Prohibition fanned the flames into a full-blown love affair. Next installment, “bathtub gin.”
JUNE 2018
8 - LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
Artist of the Year award goes to… Cheryl Anderson honored with performance on June 1 By ABIGAIL ACOSTA APTOS — On May 3, Cabrillo College announced that Cheryl Anderson was named the 2018 Artist of the Year by the Santa Cruz County Arts Commission. The Artist of the Year award is presented to local artists for outstanding achievement in performing, visual or literary arts who have also made a substantial contribution to the cultural enrichment of Santa Cruz County. After spending her whole life involved in the music industry, Anderson said she decided to work for Cabrillo College. She was first hired as a part-time faculty member before she was brought on full time. Anderson noted that she was born in Pennsylvania and lived a very countrylike life. It was actually her husband that brought her to Cabrillo, she said. After 45 years of knowing each other and traveling due to jobs and school, her husband felt the
desire to come back to the Central Coast as she said, “he loves the beach.” She grew up on a farm where her life consisted of going to school, church, her grandma’s home and the grange. “My family is very musical,” Anderson said. “I come from a large family, so weekends we would go to my grandma’s and part of what we did was make music together.” Anderson said she can’t remember her life without music. Her aunt taught her how to play the piano at 5 years old. Then in school, she was in the band, choir and honors choir. “It informs you and and enhances your vision of yourself and of how you can interact in the world,” said Anderson when asked about her love for her career. “It demands of you but it continues to give back no matter how long you do it.” Anderson’s passion for music has been shown through all the efforts she has made for Cabrillo’s musical students. Anderson
Brandon Gruber Gruber spent his youth casting off the “special needs” label school officials tried to foist upon him, and instead has forged his own label. He is a dancer, a college student, a diplomat, a model and an artist and boasts a lifetime of philanthropy. All of this may have started in eighth grade, when Gruber earned a handful of awards for, among other things, accomplishments in physical education. Gruber said that recognition gave him a life-changing self-esteem boost, which he now wants to share with other students. “I think it’s pretty exciting for others to get the awards,” he said. “Me, personally, I’m very happy for them.” Brandon’s mother Teresa Gruber wanted
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to pull him out of Aptos High School because she thought school leaders were too quick to categorize him. Brandon resisted, she said. “He said, ‘Mom I need to leave my legacy here,’” she said. He became a leader in his own right as a member of the school’s Associated Student Body. He also played on the freshman basketball team and acted in several plays. He was named homecoming king in his senior year at Aptos High School. His accomplishments did not stop there. Gruber currently sits on the National Down Syndrome Society Board of Directors, and frequently travels to New York City and Washington D.C. for board meetings.
is the founder of Cabrillo’s Youth Chorus, which provides an introduction to chorus and training for young singers, along with a pathway for future music majors. Over the time span of 28 years at Cabrillo, Anderson has lead the college’s choirs to performing in some of the world’s most famous concert halls, cathedrals and opera houses. Alongside this, Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus now performs annually with the Santa Cruz Symphony Cheryl Anderson. Contributed photo thanks to Anderson’s efforts. When Anderson found out Anderson was celebrated as Artist of she was chosen for this year’s Artist of the the Year with a profile performance held Year Award, she said she couldn’t believe on June 1 at the Cabrillo College Crocker it. Theater. “It was like, I don’t know, a dream come true that I never knew I could have,” she said. He will soon travel to Europe, where he will address the World Down Syndrome Congress in Scotland. In addition, Gruber is a fashion model, and recently began designing his own clothes thanks to a design class he is taking. Teresa Gruber said her son is the only person with Down syndrome in the world to do so. On top of all his other activities, Gruber also holds a part-time job at the Billabong surf shop in Capitola. “He’s doing huge things, and it’s because he had a great team when he was growing up that believed in him,” she said. Perhaps most importantly, Gruber is an accomplished artist who uses the proceeds from selling his paintings to fund
Rio Sands Hotel goes solar Brandon Gruber shows one of his original paintings at Cabrillo College in Aptos. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
endeavors that help underdog students. That money has bought prom dresses, tuxedos and tickets for low-income students, and sent fellow students to the school’s winter ball. While Teresa Gruber is tasked with managing her son’s busy schedule, she is quick to point out that his accomplishments are all his own. “It was his original idea to do good for others, and it morphed form there,” she said. “There’s no awards system for the underdog kids in life. Just having a little plaque just means so much. It’s a gamechanger for some of these kids.” ••• To learn more about Brandon Gruber, visit his website at 321life.com.
The Rio Sands Hotel recently completed a solar panel project. The project, installed on the roof, is expected to offset more than 90 percent of the hotel’s power bill. Contributed photo
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LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel - 9
Second District Update - Making it easier to build accessory dwelling units
By ZACH FRIEND
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY SUPERVISOR
Throughout California there are discussions about how to address the significant affordable housing crisis. Recent academic and industry studies done on home affordability have shown that in some coastal communities less than a quarter of people earn enough income to be able to purchase a home in their community and many can’t afford rising
rents. Seniors are struggling to stay in the homes they own with an overall rising cost of living. Santa Cruz County is no exception. There is no question that housing costs in Santa Cruz County are one of the biggest challenges facing our residents. It’s common to hear stories about people working multiple jobs to pay rent, seniors struggling to stay in their homes or kids and grandkids growing up here just to move away after high school or college to find less expensive housing. We’ve also seen an increase in the number of vacation rentals and second homes limiting overall housing stock and putting additional price pressure on local residents. There isn’t one simple solution to reducing housing costs. But one promising approach is to increase the number of accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The state (and many local communities) have been working to provide incentives for increased ADU construction. Recently, the County of Santa Cruz released an interactive toolkit making it easier for homeowners to design, permit and construct an accessory dwelling unit, which can be a more affordable housing option for Santa Cruz County families. Additionally, the Board of Supervisors recently reduced permitting fees, streamlined the permit process and created a forgivable loan program (that could cover the cost of fees and even
construction in some cases) for units that are deed restricted affordable housing units. Put simply, it’s now cheaper, easier and faster to build an ADU in the unincorporated area. ADUs, sometimes called granny units or companion units, are one of the quickest and easiest ways to increase the affordable housing stock in our area. For parents looking to age in place in their homes, they can construct an ADU to live in while providing the main house to their family. For people looking to obtain some income while renting a unit that is affordable by design (meaning the rents are generally lower than apartment complexes or condos of similar size) an ADU provides options that meets both of these needs. The Board of Supervisors put in rules to prevent these ADUs from becoming short term rentals (vacation rentals) so that these new units would really provide for a new long-term rental option for people in our community. What does the new ADU toolkit provide? Available at www.sccoplanning.com/ ADU, the toolkit includes an overview of recently revised regulations designed to make it easier to build ADUs, a cost and cash flow estimator, guides and FAQs about design, construction and financing, and more. It also includes a mapping tool allowing property owners to
instantaneously determine if their property can have an ADU and the maximum allowed size. Financial assistance to build an ADU is available under two new programs. The county is making up to $40,000 available as a forgivable loan to applicants who agree to make their ADU affordable to those making up to 80 percent of area median income for a period of 20 years. Through the “My House My Home” program, the county has also partnered with Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay and Senior Network Services to assist low-income seniors interested in building ADUs to create extra income and remain in their homes. The ADU toolkit is designed to give residents curious about ADUs easy answers to the county’s simplified and streamlined construction process. Under the new program, most residential lots in the unincorporated area with an existing single-family home are potentially eligible for an ADU. The county has also created simplified, downloadable guides on ADU Basics, an ADU Design Guide, and an ADU Financing Guide. Collectively, the guides provide answers to many common questions without requiring a trip to the county’s Planning Department. As always, if you have questions please feel free to reach out to me at 454-2200.
Financial Advice
College savings and charitable contributions By GARY E. CROXALL, CFP® and SOREN E. CROXALL, CFP® A couple of months ago we wrote about some of the major changes taking place with the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act last December. However, this month we wanted to focus on two aspects in particular and how you may be able to utilize some of the changes for your benefit. Ways to Save for Education Before the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, distributions from 529 educational savings plans could only be used for qualified higher education expenses if you wanted to maintain their favorable tax status. Essentially, if you wanted to use them to pay for K-12 tuition, you were out of luck. Before the new tax law, the only type of account that could be set up to allow parents to save for K-12 tuition were Coverdell Educations Savings Accounts (ESA). These accounts put strict
caps on annual contribution limits and not everyone was eligible to contribute if their income was too high. The new tax law appears to allow more flexibility to utilize 529 plans to pay not only for qualified higher education expenses, but also tuition at K-12 schools up to $10,000 per year. One very important caveat however, is that this change to 529 plans is at the federal level and not the state level. Not all states follow the federal definition for their 529 plan rules and may still need to update their state plan rules to reflect this change (or they may opt to not update). So long story short, before you take a distribution to pay for K-12 tuition, you should work with a qualified tax advisor who understands both the federal and state treatment of 529 plan distributions. If states are slow to adopt the new 529 plan rules for qualified K-12 tuition distributions, you could look more closely at Coverdell ESAs as an option for saving for qualified elementary and secondary school expenses. A qualified financial professional can help explain the pros and cons of this type of account. Charitable Contributions As we mentioned in a previous article, the standard deduction and itemized
deductions have changed greatly under the new tax law. The size of the standard deduction has been increased dramatically, while qualified itemized deductions have been cut dramatically. What this ultimately means is that far fewer people will still qualify to itemize. If you are over 70 ½, subject to required minimum distributions from IRA accounts, and have utilized charitable contributions as part of your itemized deductions in the past, you may consider a Qualified Charitable Distribution (“QCD”) as a way to continue to receive some tax benefits even if you may no longer be able to itemize deductions. The rules around QCDs are complex, but if followed correctly, you may be able to satisfy a portion or all of your required minimum distribution for the year while at the same time be able to exclude the amount donated from your taxable income. Again, rules surrounding QCDs are complex and must be followed exactly in order to reap the benefits, so work with a qualified professional to understand this strategy and see if it meets your personal goals and objectives. Whether your plans call for setting money aside for a child or grandchild’s future education or for passing money
directly to a favorite qualified charity, the new tax law gives us some new benefits and reasons to take a closer look. A little planning can really help out by clarifying the best way to approach these goals. By either setting up an account for future education or contributing directly to your favorite qualified charity, you are proactively taking control and making sure your assets benefit the people or organizations that are most important to you. Gary E. Croxall, CFP® Registered Principal of LPL Soren E. Croxall, CFP® Registered Representative of LPL
Securities and Advisory Services offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Advisor. LPL Financial and Croxall Capital Planning do not provide tax or legal advice. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
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A colorful tradition continues
Annual Down to Earth Women Luncheon held in Corralitos By JOHANNA MILLER CORRALITOS — Even from a distance, you can tell right away that the annual Down to Earth Women Luncheon is unlike any other event. A sea of colorful outfits and hats filled Driscoll’s Rancho Corralitos on May 10. Women (and some men) joined together for the 11th year to celebrate women involved in, or supporting agriculture in Santa Cruz County and the Pajaro Valley. The luncheon is held to raise funds for Watsonville-based organization AgriCulture’s Focus Agriculture program, as well as the Jimmie Cox Memorial Scholarship fund and the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau’s many educational programs. Eleven years ago, Georgeann Cowles Eiskamp, Nita Gizdich and a few others
were approached by Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau Executive Director Jess Brown about creating an event focusing on women in agriculture. It quickly became a tradition — with attendance and fundraising increasing every year. “We spend about six or seven months planning for this,” said Eiskamp, “and it just continues to grow. It’s been an incredible success.” KSBW morning news anchor Brittany Nielsen was on hand at the luncheon serving as Mistress of Ceremonies for the fourth year running. Before the event, Nielsen explained why she believed this annual celebration was unique. “They just create such a neat atmosphere,” Nielsen said. “They make it so fun. It’s definitely one of my favorite events that I’m invited to each year.” Nielsen, who grew up in Watsonville
and whose grandparents were farmers, acknowledged the impact that so many women have had in the local agriculture industry. “These women set the bar high for the rest of us,” she said. “They’re just so inspiring. I am incredibly honored to be able to sit side-by-side with these lovely people who have contributed so much to this community.” Every year, Down to Earth Women organizers choose a local woman who is involved in agriculture or food production to speak at the event. This year it was Kathryn Lukas, founder of Watsonvillebased fermented food company Farmhouse Culture. Lukas and others spoke to the crowd gathered at Driscoll’s Rancho Corralitos, which has been host to the event for a while now. Eiskamp expressed her gratitude to Rancho Corralitos for their continuing support. “We’re really lucky to have such a beautiful venue,” she said. “And they do a lot of work helping us out, too. We’re so grateful.” This year’s Jimmie Cox Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Meghan Clifton, a senior at St. Francis Central
Coast Catholic High School. The fouryear, $4,000 scholarship is given out every year to a student who is currently enrolled in college and studying agriculture. A raffle and live auction was also held toward the end of the event. Wine was provided by Storrs Winery and John & Caroline Eiskamp. As for the tradition of wearing fancy, colorful hats, Georgeann Cowles Eiskamp said that it began the very first year of event: The weather was scorching hot on the day of that luncheon, reaching the 90’s, so Nita Gizdich ended up bringing some decorative hats out to protect guests from the heat. People began the tradition of bringing and even making their own. Among the dozens of hats present at the luncheon, from a plain 49ers straw hat to gossamer, elegant ensembles, Salina Nevarez of UC Santa Cruz Community Relations donned a fancy sun hat adorned with a tiny red barn, strawberries and three banana slugs. “I love this event,” Nevarez said. “It helps bring the community together in a wonderful setting. And it’s a great chance for us women to get together, let our hair hang down and feel pretty.”
Loretta Estrada (from right), her daughter, Kelly Estrada and Kelly’s daughter, Salina Nevarez from UC Santa Cruz dons her original Colorful hats were the order of the Laura Estrada-Peixoto at the 11th annual Down to Earth Women Luncheon in “barn hat.” Photo by Tarmo Hannula day at the 11th annual Down to Earth Corralitos on May 10. Photo by Tarmo Hannula Women Luncheon in Corralitos.
Your
Corralitos Woman’s Club hands out scholarships
Natural Look Aptos High School senior Sara Pedro is one of three recipients of the Corralitos Woman’s Club scholarships this year. Watsonville High School senior Veronica Cruz and Aptos High senior Grace Loehrke were unable to attend May 8’s luncheon. Photo by Erik Chalhoub
By ERIK CHALHOUB CORRALITOS — The Corralitos Woman’s Club announced the three recipients of its annual scholarship program during a luncheon on May 8. Watsonville High School senior Veronica Cruz is joined by Aptos High School seniors Grace Loehrke and Sara Pedro as this year’s scholarship recipients. Each awardee received $1,600. Marcia Burns, chair of the five-member scholarship committee, said it was difficult to narrow down all the applications and choose only three. “It’s really so inspiring,” she said.
The application includes an essay, as well as information on not only academics, but extracurricular activities and volunteer work. Students must also include a letter of recommendation. Pedro will be heading to San Diego State University to study English, and said the scholarship will help her pursue her academic goals. “I’m very thank for these lovely ladies awarding this to me,” she said. The Corralitos Woman’s Club is constantly raising money for scholarships and its other programs. It held a Mystery Dinner theater production on April 28, with 200 people attending.
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Grand jury investigates mental crisis response Staff report SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — The Santa Cruz County Grand Jury on May 17 released a report of how law enforcement officials and mental health workers respond to mental health crises, and made a handful of recommended changes. The investigation was spurred by two incidents in 2016 in which people experiencing a “behavioral crisis” were shot to death by responding police officers. The first was Sean Arlt, 32, who was fatally shot in October after threatening officers with a large metal rake. In November 2016, 15-year-old Luke Smith stabbed his father and uncle, and was shot to death after resisting numerous orders to surrender. Luke kept fighting despite being struck by several rubber
bullets and Taser blasts and being attacked by a police dog. Arlt was known to have a mental illness. Luke was under the influence of LSD. In both cases, police were criticized for the way they handled the situations. The grand jury investigated the county’s system of crisis intervention, and asked why law enforcement is the primary responder when the issue is one of mental health. During the investigation, grand jurors visited the county’s detention facilities and the County Regional 9-1-1 center. They also interviewed mental health professionals, county administrators and first responders from each department. They also took a look at the training that law enforcement officials undergo in the wake of the 2016 incidents. In its findings, the grand jury suggested
adding more mental health liaisons, who ride with police officers to help deal with people who are in crisis. They should also be available at all hours, the grand jury said. The jury also recommended that the county expand the use of its Mobile Emergency Response Team, which is called by physicians’ offices, clinics, urgent care facilities, and schools that are dealing with people in crisis who do not pose a threat. In addition, emergency dispatchers and responders should find a way to distinguish between threatening and non-lifethreatening EDP calls, the report suggested. The report criticized the county for its use of the Telecare Corporation to run its Behavioral Health Unit. As a private entity, the company was beyond the jurisdiction of the grand jury investigation, the report said. The jury therefore recommended a
compliance audit of the company, and in particular urged a close look at an October 2017 report by the National Alliance on Mental Health that was critical of Telecare’s practices. While the contract between the county and Telecare provides for oversight of the company, there is no publicly available record of any county audit or inspection of the Telecare facility, the report stated. Under state law, organizations typically have 90 days to respond to grand jury reports. They are not, however, required to implement any of the suggested changes. ••• To see the report, visit tinyurl.com/ y7c9462r.
PVUSD trustees reject charter petition Teacher, management raises approved
By TODD GUILD WATSONVILLE — The Pajaro Valley Unified School District on May 23 rejected a petition by a charter school organization that hoped to open a new school in Watsonville for the 2019-20 school year. The trustees denied the petition with a 5-0 vote. Board President Leslie DeRose and Trustee Georgia Acosta were absent. Navigator Schools submitted its 749page charter petition on March 28 to open Watsonville Prep School. PVUSD staff recommended rejecting the petition this week. The organization already runs Hollister Prep and Gilroy Prep in those cities. PVUSD Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez outlined several reasons why the district was recommending the denial, and
said the organization outlined an “unsound education program” in its petition. “We believe they are unlikely to successfully implement the program, based on the petition,” Rodriguez said. Rodriguez started by expressing concern that the organization would not offer transitional kindergarten. Many students, she said, come into their kindergarten year needing that extra year to catch up with their peers. “This is a significant concern to me,” she said. Rodriguez said the charter presented an unrealistic financial plan. In one case the organization listed a $150,000 donation during its first year, but did not outline where the donation would come from. In addition, the charter showed a $3,500 budget for textbooks in the first year, which
Rodriguez said was likely inadequate. But Heather Parsons, who was supporting the petition, said that all students would be given iPads and as such will have a “21st century approach” to access the necessary curriculum. The petition also made no mention of how it would pay for a facility, Rodriguez said. Rodriguez also said the charter petition made no mention of how it would pay for a transportation program, and gave no plan for how the school will pay its middle school program when implemented in six years. There was also no comprehensive plan on how the school would address migrant students who return after being absent during the harvest season, Rodriguez said. The petition also outlined “obsolete” teaching methodologies that are not in line with common core standards. Dozens of parents who had hoped to enroll their kids in the school attended the meeting and urged the trustees to support the charter petition. Veronica Rubio, a mother of four children, said through a translator that she has two daughters she wants to attend the school. “That is why I am here today — for them to have a better education,” she said. Navigator Director of Community Outreach Kirsten Carr pointed out that both Gilroy and Hollister Prep schools have been “unanimously approved” by their districts when their charter came up for renewal. Timothy Pearson, who said his two daughters attend Hollister Prep School, touted that school’s program. “I want for my kids to have different opportunities than I had,” he said. Trustee Karen Osmundson said that PVUSD already has six charter schools, each of which offer a “unique” program. One — Ceiba College Preparatory Academy — is independent and as such is beyond the reach of district oversight, she said. That school, she said, recently fired two teachers, who had no representation. “I am really not excited about independent charters,” Osmundson said. Osmundson also pointed out that the organization has been denied in at least two other districts. Trustee Maria Orozco said she would rather put the money into supporting the 20,500 students of the district, rather than dedicate it to an independent charter school. Trustee Willie Yahiro said he was concerned that one board of directors would oversee all three schools, leaving little representation for Watsonville area families and students. “I feel very uneasy sending over $1.3 million without any local control,” Yahiro said. Several trustees expressed concern about Proposition 39, a state law requiring school districts to provide new charter schools with facilities in which to operate. While Navigator Schools CEO Kevin Sved said the school planned to find its own facility to “lease and develop,” he said the organization had not yet waived its Prop. 39 rights.
Rodriguez said that Navigator would have the right to demand a facility, and that the district would have to provide it at “many locations.” Trustee Kim De Serpa lambasted the charter organization for its plan to utilize parent support. Many, she said, are working three jobs to make ends meet. She described families living in crowded homes and sleeping on mattresses on the floor. “I’m wondering if you know how expensive it is to live on this side of the hill,” she said. “The population of people you will be working with are people who are struggling to make a living.” After the vote, Sved said he was “disappointed” in the decision, and said he would appeal to the Santa Cruz County Office of Education. “We have phenomenal outcomes with students,” he said. “It’s proven. It’s indisputable. “We are committed to bringing this option to the people of Watsonville.” ••• Teacher contract approved In other news, the trustees approved an agreement between Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers and the district, that will give the educators a 7 percent raise over three years, beginning with a retroactive 1 percent raise for the 2016-17 school year. The agreement came after 17 months of tense negotiations which at times prompted teachers to pack the board meetings and line up to urge the trustees to approve salary increases. Teachers will also get a 2 percent bonus for 2016-2017, a retroactive 2 percent increase for the 2017-18 school year, and a 4 percent increase that goes into effect in July. The agreement includes a 13 percent increase over three years for early childhood and adult education teachers. Teachers also agreed to permanently increase the work year by two days, and to minimal increases to their prescriptions and co-pays in their health insurance plans. The agreement was approved 5-0, with trustees DeRose and Acosta absent. ••• Management agreement The trustees also approved a similar pay increase for hundreds of management positions. The agreement includes a 1 percent raise retroactive to July 1, 2016, a 2 percent raise retroactive to July 1, 2017 and a 3 percent raise effective July 1 of this year. The management agreement also includes minor changes to the health plan. It applies to Mark Brewer and Lisa Aguerria Lewis, who serve as assistant superintendent of elementary and secondary education, respectively. It also applies to Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez and Chief Business Officer Joe Dominguez. Assistant Superintendent of Education Services Susan Perez and Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Chona Killeen are also included.
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12 - LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
SPORTS
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TONY NUNEZ
Cabrillo captures first state team title Staff report To be the best, Cabrillo College beat the best. The Seahawks knocked off the defending California Community College Athletic Association champion MiraCosta College, 3-0, on May 10 at West Valley College to become the first team from Northern California to win the state beach volleyball championship. “I think we trusted each other, we worked well as a team, communicated really well and just played hard,” Cabrillo head coach Lucas Bol said to CCCAAsports.org. Cabrillo clinched the state title with Mari Molina and Alex Bol’s come-frombehind 17-21, 21-19, 15-12 win over Claire Kinder and Chloe Tripp in the No. 1 slot. No. 3 Paige Schieferstein and Kylie Kvam defeated Celin MacDonald and Lana Salazar, 21-17, 22-20. And No. 4 Kendra Lis and Alena Fernandez swept Madison Anderson and Violeti Faleumu, 22-20, 21-16. The last two matches, featuring No. 2 Mari Molina and Alex Bol and No. 5 Linda Fiso and Julie Samuelson, were halted. “I’m really proud of the team,” coach Bol said. “We put in hard work for months, stuck together, and fought and battled and won a championship. I’m super proud of them.” Cabrillo, the undefeated Coast Conference champion, turned away a pair of Southern California teams in pool play earlier in the day. The Seahawks took down Moorpark College, 4-1, and edged Long Beach City College, 3-2.
Contributed photo
In the pairs’ state championship tournament on May 11 and 12, Molina and Bol were forced to bow out in the first round, allowing teammates Hall and Wilson to advance to the quarterfinals. Hall and Wilson fell in the quarterfinal round to the eventual state champion duo of Megan Ramseyer and Taira Ka’awaloa of Irvine Valley College.
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“I think we trusted each other, we worked well as a team, communicated really well and just played hard.” Cabrillo head coach Lucas Bol
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LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel - 13
Hocom named Academic All-American by NHSCA By TONY NUNEZ APTOS — Add another pair of accomplishments to Hannah Hocom’s impressive 2017-18 season. The Aptos High star junior basketball player was named an Academic AllAmerican by the National High School Coaches Association late April, and also earned a spot on Cal-Hi Sports’ All-State Underclassmen Third Team. A starting guard for the Mariners each of the last three seasons, Hocom was named the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League’s Most Valuable Player after leading Aptos to its first league title since the 2000-01 season. Now, she’s considered one of the best in the state on the court, and one of the most well-rounded student-athletes in the nation. Hocom said the academic honor rises above the rest. “It’s on such a big scale and academics are such an important part of the equation for me,” Hocom said. Along with averaging 14.1 points per game and swishing the second-most 3-pointers in the Central Coast Section
(84), Hocom also carried a 4.3 grade point average while helping the Mariners to a 26-5 overall record and the quarterfinal round of the CIF NorCal Division III playoffs. Her father Stefan Hocom, who was the Mariners’ head coach for the last four seasons, agreed with his daughter: the academic accomplishment was the most impressive of them all. “I always tell her, ‘you got to have the academics,’” Hocom said. Hocom was one of only two studentathletes from California who earned Academic All-American honors from the NHSCA, which selected 114 studentathletes from 34 states across the country. The honorees averaged a 3.9 GPA. “This year’s Academic All-Americans are the epitome of what a student-athlete is. Not only do they excel on the playing field, mat, court, pool, and track, but they also excel in the classroom,” NHSCA CEO Bobby Ferraro said on the organization’s website. “These student-athletes are leaders in and out of the classroom and are the future leaders of tomorrow. We are proud to deem them Academic AllAmericans.” Hannah Hocom was named an Academic All-American by the National High School Coaches Association. File photo by Tony Nunez
Aptos names diamond after brothers Paul, Robert Bailey
Staff report APTOS — Aptos High dedicated its baseball diamond to brothers Paul and Robert Bailey on May 8 before the Mariners’ Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League game against Soquel High. Aptos Athletic Director Mark Dorfman said the dedication was long overdue for the Bailey family, longtime supporters and donors to Aptos athletics. “They’ve done so much for Aptos High School,” Dorfman said. “Not just in terms of money, but in terms of support, effort and community love. This is the least we could for them.” After the dedication, Aptos rallied to beat Soquel, 2-1, by scoring two runs in the sixth inning.
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR June 9
June 15
JUNE 2018 June 16
College of Botanical Healing Heroes Breakfast Jay Race Arts workshops The American Red Cross of the The 17th The College of Botanical Healing Arts will hold a workshop on botanical extracts from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 4170 Gross Road Extension, Suite 5 in Capitola. It will also hold a workshop titled “The Power of Apitherapy and the Bee Hive� from 2:306 p.m. For information, call 462-1807 or visit www.cobha.org.
Central Coast will be honoring a group of community members for their acts of courage or compassion at the chapter’s 13th Annual Heroes Breakfast from 8:30-10 a.m. at Twin Lakes Church, 2701 Cabrillo College Drive in Aptos. To purchase tickets, visit redcross.org/ centralcoastheroes.
annual Jay Moriarity Paddleboard Race will be held from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Capitola Beach. This event is in memory of Santa Cruz Waterman Jay Moriarity. For information, visit www. jaymoriarityfoundation.org/jay-race.
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July 4 Fourth of July parade
The World’s Shortest Parade will march down Soquel Drive in Aptos. Parade participants and vendors are sought. For information, visit www.aptoschamber. com. APTOS
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Agreement would take away local control of rail line To the Editor,
Life Aptos, Capitola, Soquel welcomes letters and guest columns about local issues. Letters should be about 300 words or less. Guest columns should run no longer than about 800 words and should include a one-paragraph biography at the end of the column and a photograph if available. Letters and columns may be dropped off at the RegisterPajaronian, 100 Westridge Drive, Watsonville, CA 95076. Email is the best way to send columns and letters — newsroom@registerpajaronian.com. Our fax number is 722-8386. All submissions must be signed and have a street address and phone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit and condense all submissions.
APTOS
SOQUEL
CAPITOLA
Why is the Regional Transportation Commission negotiating with Progressive Rail at all? For the few Watsonville businesses which would like to see freight service solely on their few miles of track, does this small amount of freight actually bring any significant financial benefit to the community of Watsonville, or only to the businesses that the whole county will be subsidizing? The Regional Transportation Commissioners will say that they have a mandate to provide rail service on the corridor they purchased, but Big Trees, a “tourist train,� is still operating on the northern tracks — doesn’t this count? As for commuters, Progressive says if there is ever a request for passenger service they only offer freight and would have to subcontract for that in the future; the proposed contract makes clear that freight (on our single track) will have priority. Progressive proposes to subcontract a different tourist train — the Suntan Special. How does a tourist train improve our transportation network in the county? Any agreement with Progressive Rail gives away local control to a rail line we haven’t even yet decided how to manage. Why are we rushing into a contract with so many unanswered questions? Tell the RTC to vote no on the Progressive Rail contract on June 14. Email info@sccrtc.org. Ira Davis Capitola
Water district seems to be loosely spending money To the Editor, Some time ago, there was a piece in the Soquel Creek Water District’s publication, “What’s on Tap,� about two transparency awards the district had received. Perhaps there are subjects that are dealt with in a reasonably transparent manner, but there are matters of concern where information provided to the rate-payer can be about as transparent as a slate chalkboard. Replacement of a single toilet in the district’s generous program can result in a record consisting of up to four pages of who, what, where and how much money, yet an inquiry about the Water Offset Credits (W.O.C.) granted to Barry Swenson Builders for work they had done at Cabrillo College yielded a single page stating the number of toilets and urinals, etc., they had replaced there. It is incumbent on the water district and the college, and Swenson for that matter, to provide concrete evidence, and if they cannot, the W.O.C. should be withdrawn, and the signs about the project having saved water in the community would be dubious at best. The board and management have been informed of possible theft of water on the Aptos Village Project more than once. In one such instance, I wrote the board a letter about it. The district manager replied to my letter thanking me and stating simply, “We have investigated and are taking appropriate action.� One month later, I received a more lengthy letter from Mr. Duncan which he described as “additional response� to my earlier letter. This letter contained a number of items of questionable veracity. For example, he stated that the connection was legal, that the customer paid the bill regularly, and the meter had been removed from the service. There was no meter anywhere near the suspicious connection. Photographic evidence exists! At a recent board meeting, there was a lengthy discussion as to whether a consultant be retained to assist staff with their work. If the staff needs assistance of a highly-paid consultant, is it time for a change of staff? Then the question of a trip for five persons to Washington D.C., stopping in Denver on the way back, costing how many thousands when the district already has a well-paid lobbyist there to tend to its business. The district seems to be pretty loose with the rate-payers’ money. We pay them nicely to keep records of their activities and then have to pay a hefty fee to see the product of their work. Thomas Stumbaugh Aptos
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16 - LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
JUNE 2018