MAY 18, 2022 • VOL. 9, NO. 13
Summer Preview Hot Rods on the Green, Santa Cruz Symphony and more P4
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ABOUT THE
COVER
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fter the constant guessing about closures during the pandemic, we feel lucky to even be able to have a Summer Preview issue. And unlike the smattering of events that got booked over the last couple of years—as people tried to guess what the Covid situation might be weeks or even months out— this summer’s lineup is packed. I don’t want to spoil too much, but the best news to us is that some Aptos favorites are back. The World’s Shortest Parade actually made its pandemic-era return last year, but no one seemed sure earlier in this Omicron-battered year if it could repeat. Now we have official word that it can, and will. Similarly, Cabrillo Stage has been dealing for the last two years with the unique challenges that live theater has faced. And yet, they’re set to bring two productions to the stage. Besides what’s happening right here in Aptos, we’ve also included some other notable events from around Santa Cruz County, and when you get a look at the whole spectrum of events set for this summer, I think you’ll agree that arts and culture in Santa Cruz County is making a powerful comeback. Check out our list, and go to aptoslife.com for even more local events. Thanks for reading!
Steve Palopoli | Editor
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Cover Story
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History Corner
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Local Scene
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Word from a Friend
10 Financial Advice CEO & Executive Editor
Dan Pulcrano Vice President
Lee May Publisher
Jeanie Johnson Editor
Steve Palopoli Contributing writers
John Hibble Zach Friend Johanna Miller Soren E. Croxall Hugh McCormick Adam Joseph Photography
Tarmo Hannula Cover photo
Brad Remy/Shutterstock Advertising Director
Debra Whizin
Advertising Sales
Tiffani Petrov Kate Kauffman Ilana Packer Lisa Buckley Sue Lamothe Editorial Production Manager
Phaedra Strecher Production
Rob Chalhoub Hon Truong Aptos Life is published monthly. All rights reserved, material may not be reprinted without written consent from the publisher. Aptos Life made every effort to maintain the accuracy of information presented in this publication, but assumes no responsibility for errors, changes or omissions. Aptos Life is a division of the Pajaronian. Publishing in Santa Cruz County since 1868.
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MAY 18, 2022 | APTOS LIFE
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Cultural Whirl Cars, comedy, drama, music and the return of the World’s Shortest Parade this summer By DNA
MAY 18, 2022 | APTOS LIFE
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ummer is here, and the time is right for having fun in the streets, in the parks and on the beach. And in Aptos, a true summer tradition is the annual Hot Rods on the Green event, which returns for its 15th year on July 9. Another wild line-up of hot rods, roadsters and other classic autos will line up in the lot of Twin Lakes Church starting at 9am. There will be live music, food and a raffle that benefits the Kingsmen Industrial Arts Scholarship Program. Spectator parking will be available in the large, adjacent Cabrillo College / Crocker Theater parking area. Classic car lovers are in for a great couple of months, because there are two more big events coming up in Santa Cruz County. On June 11-12, it’s the Capitola Rod and Custom Classic Car Show, featuring a parade of cool custom cars driving from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk to Capitola starting at 8:30am. Then it’s a weekend of music, cars and food on the beach in Capitola Village. Keep that engine running, because June 23-26, it’s the 26th Annual Woodies on the Wharf, starring the unmistakable station wagon with wood bodywork, the Woodie. Walk the pier at
Main Beach starting at 10am and explore the wood-paneled subculture of Woodie enthusiasts. On July 4, it’s time to— very quickly—celebrate the Independence Day will another time-honored (and world-famous) Aptos tradition: the World’s Shortest Parade. This year, the parade begins at 10am and is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Aptos Little League Championship in 2002; the team will march in the parade. This year’s theme is Team Spirit, and after the parade there will be a party in the park with music and vendors. There’s a chance to get some running in and benefit a good cause when the first annual Natasha’s 5k Run for Justice debuts June 12 in Aptos Village. The run takes place, at 9am, through the beautiful second and third-growth redwood forest of Nisene Marks. Natasha’s Run raises money and awareness for sex trafficking survivors in Santa Cruz County. Afterwards, relax with food trucks and a beer and wine garden in downtown Aptos. June 4-5, in the majestic Roaring Camp Railroad in Felton, it’s the return of the Redwood Mountain Faire, an all-day music experience. Now in its 12th year, the festival features Bay Area hippie legends Moonalice,
alongside local barn burners Wolf Jett and the Coffis Brothers. While you are in Felton, it’s only a few minutes to Park Hall in Ben Lomond, where you can catch Mountain Community Theatre’s production of Calendar Girls, directed by Hannah Eckstein. It’s a funny story about a group of friends who pose nude for an amateur calendar that runs May 20-June 12; shows begin at 8pm. And that’s far from the only fun you can find on stage this summer. Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s summer season runs from July 10-Aug. 28, and features not only Twelfth Night and The Tempest but also an SCS first: the world premiere of a work from a local playwright. Kathryn Chetkovich’s The Formula is inspired by Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and kicks things off with a week of previews starting on July 10. Aptos’ own Cabrillo Stage will present two productions this summer: Grease: The Musical (June 23-July 10) and Candide (July 21-Aug. 14). Stay tuned for more from us on what our hometown stage fave has in store. There’s more culture to be had when the Santa Cruz Symphony performs Carmina Burana by Carl Orff and L’Orfeo by Monteverdi at the Santa Cruz Civic Center
START YOUR ENGINES
Woodies on the Wharf is one of three big car events that will draw spectators this summer.
at 7:30pm on May 21 and in Watsonville at 2pm on May 22 at Henry J. Mello Center for the Performing Arts. Featuring the Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus under the direction of Cheryl Anderson, and with soloist Elliot Madore, this is a chance to experience one of Santa Cruz’s finest cultural events. We all need laughs right now, and Santa Cruz has comedy shows every Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm at Greater Purpose Brewery. The stars of Whose Line is it Anyway? will also be performing their Whose Live Anyway? tour at the Santa Cruz Civic on June 26. With Father’s Day coming up, perhaps the ultimate dad gift is a ride aboard the Father’s Day Brew Train. On June 19, board the train at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and head into the mountains, all while drinking some of Santa Cruz’s favorite local brews. Remember, moderation is just being a good citizen. Contact Roaring Camp for train times.
For more information on these and other events this summer, go to aptoslife .com.
HISTORY CORNER
HEIGHT OF LUXURY Claus Spreckels was determined that his Aptos Hotel be the finest summer resort in California.
A Brief History of Aptos
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had for yourself. Ohlone people and given to local citizens who still live and work here today. were involved in the government After Columbus discovered and development of the area. In America, King Ferdinand and 1833, the government of Mexico Queen Isabella of Spain decreed granted the Aptos Rancho to that everyone in the new world Rafael Castro. The Rancho would must embrace the eventually total almost Catholic religion. So, 6,686 acres, and spanned missions were established, from Seascape Boulevard and Native Americans to Borregas Drive near were forced to work and Cabrillo College. Initially, study at Mission Santa Castro raised cattle for Cruz which was completed their hides and tallow, in 1794. The mission but after California system and European became a state in 1850, diseases ended the Native Castro leased his land to By John Hibble American way of life. Yankees for industrial Aptos History Museum The Spanish colonies developments. A wharf, in the Americas general store and lum eventually revolted and ber mill were built. became independent countries. The original town was located After Mexican independence, where Aptos Village Square is which included California, the today and the original general mission lands were secularized store building still exists.
By 1872, Claus Spreckels, the sugar millionaire, began buying the land from Castro. Spreckels saw the tourism potential of the estuary and beach where Aptos Creek enters the Monterey Bay, so he made plans to build the finest summer resort in California. Spreckels Drive was the private entrance road. He also built a summer mansion and ranch with a racetrack for his horses near today’s Rio Del Mar Boulevard. A large area was fenced and stocked with deer for hotel guests to hunt, and that area became known as “The Deer Park.” Spreckels also helped finance the Santa Cruz Railroad, which opened in 1876. The original steam engine “Jupiter” is now in the Smithsonian. With the coming of the railroad, the town ➝7 moved to the east side
MAY 18, 2022 | APTOS LIFE
ptos is an amazing place, and the stories of our past are fascinating. But in order to understand where each story fits in, it might be helpful to have a general overview of our history. So, let’s begin at the beginning. Aptos was named by the native people who lived here for approximately 6,000 years before the Spanish colonized California. Today, these people are known as the Ohlone. We tend to think that our coastal area is probably the best place in the world to live, and so it was for the Ohlone people. Their lifestyle was peaceful and generous, and virtually everything they needed was here. Their idea of wealth was how much they could give away to others, not how much you
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LOCAL SCENE don’t often have in other subjects. This national competition highlights the value of art as a core subject and celebrates the creativity of our nation's youth.”
$15M Boost for Groundwater
WINNING SHOT Aptos High School junior Michelle Lopez-Rubio’s photograph “Sacrificing My Father’s Hands”
will be on display in the U.S. Capitol.
MAY 18, 2022 | APTOS LIFE
Aptos High Student Wins Art Contest
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Aptos High School junior Michelle Lopez-Rubio will have her photograph, “Sacrificing My Father’s Hands,” on display in the U.S. Capitol. Lopez-Rubio is the first place winner in Congressmember Jimmy Panetta’s (D-Carmel Valley) 2022 Congressional Art Competition for high school students throughout California’s 20th Congressional District. “Sacrificing My Father’s Hands” will be displayed for an entire year along with other Congressional District winners. Lopez-Rubio did not expect her work to receive this honor, but is aware of the impact it can have. “I was shocked that my photo was even selected for the competition, and after learning I won, I felt honored and grateful,” she says. “This photo was about bringing light to what field workers have to go through every day. Experiencing it firsthand, it felt very personal
to photograph, but I didn’t think much of it at the time. I hope that this photo getting so much attention can help improve the conditions of field workers.” Anna Spurlock and Autumn Zaretsky, also from Aptos High, participated in the competition alongside high school students from Salinas, Monterey, San Benito, Carmel, Gilroy and Santa Cruz. As the winner, Lopez-Rubio will travel to Washington DC in June, along with her sister, to be recognized and see her piece exhibited in the U.S. Capitol. “The Central Coast is known for its vibrant art community, and we have a number of talented young student artists from local high schools,” Panetta says. “The Congressional Art Competition gives our students a unique opportunity to showcase their skills and creativity on a larger stage. I’m excited to display the winning piece in the U.S. Capitol for visitors from across the country and around the world to see and enjoy.”
“At PVUSD, we recognize the profound influence of arts in education and we are proud to have opportunities for our students to explore their artistic talent,” says PVUSD Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez. “Congratulations to Michelle Lopez-Rubio for having created such a touching piece that will be enjoyed by the millions of visitors the U.S. Capitol sees annually. It is not only a heartfelt photograph, but also a strong representation of our community and we are proud to celebrate this recognition.” Veronique Marks, LopezRubio’s Visual and Performing Arts teacher, commended her students for sharing their artwork with the public. “I strive to teach my students that what they capture in a photograph can have extraordinary power that goes beyond language, straight to your heart,” she says. “The arts are essential, now more than ever. It gives students a voice and an avenue for healing and self-expression that they
The groundwater sustainability agencies for the Santa Cruz MidCounty Groundwater Basin and for the Pajaro Valley Basin have each been awarded $7.6 million to help implement projects to create sustainable groundwater basins. The grants are part of $150 million awarded statewide through the Sustainable Groundwater Management (SGM) Grant Program, which is overseen by the California Department of Water Resources, which works with local water agencies and partners to promote healthy and sustainable groundwater basins. The awards went to the Mid-County Groundwater Agency and the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency. “This success is a reflection of all the hard work that our local agencies have put into groundwater management, and we are grateful that the Department of Water Resources recognizes both the local need for this funding and our ability to put it to good use,” says Sierra Ryan, water resources manager for Santa Cruz County. “This funding will go a long way in helping us achieve local groundwater sustainability.” Funding for the Mid-County Groundwater Basin will be overseen by the Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Agency and would help relocate coastal wells, increase aquifer injection to improve groundwater supplies, improve groundwater and hydraulic modeling in the basin and more. Funding for the Pajaro Valley Basin will be overseen by the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency, and would help develop College Lake as an alternative water source for agricultural use, reducing groundwater overdraft and seawater intrusion.
HISTORY
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From 1884 to 1924, Aptos became a boom town.
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a 2,000-foot seawall, bathing pavilion, a children’s sand garden, dining hall and dance pavilion, automobile parking space, and modern beach bungalettes for rent or lease. The beach boulevard was to join the ends of the “U”-shaped pleasure pier, which was to extend 550 feet into the sea and 1000 feet down the beach. Plans also included an indoor swimming pool, tennis courts, an auditorium, a hotel, and golf course. Sea storms destroyed all of the beach developments as fast as they were built. Additional partners were brought in to purchase an unused World War I oil tanker made of concrete, and it was converted it into an amusement pier with a restaurant, swimming pool, arcade and a dance pavilion. Within two years, sea storms broke the concrete ship. Highway 1 was built in 1949, bypassing Aptos Village. In the early 1960s, Aptos began a period of rapid development. Cabrillo College opened in our strategic location halfway between Watsonville and Santa Cruz, and Rancho Del Mar Shopping Center was built. In 1963, Aptos Seascape Corporation purchased the 500-acre Krag Ranch, known for Hereford cattle and Thoroughbred horses. The controversial development energized anti-growth opponents, but the community ultimately included homes, Seascape Beach Resort, Seascape Village Shops and Seascape Sports Club. And history marches on.
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of Aptos Creek where it is today. Spreckels brother-in-law Claus Mangels built himself a mansion up today’s Aptos Creek Road, and Rafael Castro's son-in-law Joseph Arano built the Bayview Hotel. The railroad allowed access to the redwood forest. From 1884 to 1924, redwood timber harvesting became the major industry, and Aptos became a boom town. The Loma Prieta Lumber Company logged all of what is now Nisene Marks State Park. Frederick Hihn’s Valencia Mill logged everything to the east. Valencia Hall was the community center of that mill town. Within 40 years, the hills were bare. The trees in the forest today are all second growth from the stumps, and will not be mature for another 700 years. Frederick Hihn was so smart that he had his lumberjacks plant apple trees, and he sold the orchards to the former lumbermen. Watsonville was the apple capital of the world in 1900, with over a million apple trees. Apples also became the next industry in Aptos, lasting until 1959. The industry included fresh apples, dried apples, and vinegar. The Hihn’s apple barn/warehouse in Aptos Village is now part of the New Leaf Community Market. After Spreckels' death, Fred and Phoebe Somers of Pomona purchased the 2,390-acre Aptos Ranch in 1922 from Spreckels’ heirs, financed partly by preselling parcels to investors and developers. It was the Roaring Twenties, and people wanted second homes on the Monterey Bay. During Prohibition, Aptos and New Brighton Beach were also a notorious main entry point for booze from Canada. Plans were made to develop Seacliff Park and Rio Del Mar, and sales began in 1924. Rio Del Mar Country Club first built the golf course and eventually included a clubhouse, a grand hotel on the bluffs, a beach club, and a polo field. The estuary was filled in, and Aptos Creek was moved and dammed to provide “the largest freshwater swimming pool in the west,” complete with bathing pavilion. The Seacliff Company’s plans included an esplanade,
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WORD FROM A FRIEND
Criminal Justice Council
MAY 18, 2022 | APTOS LIFE
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t the end of last year, the Criminal Justice Council of Santa Cruz County (CJC) released its first report—an in-depth analysis of local police agency policies and procedures, in particular around use of force. This regional transparent analysis is believed to be the first such comparative regional look into these policies in the nation. The report led to some By Zach Friend agencies Santa Cruz County adding or Supervisor changing policies/ procedures in light of the findings—including, for example, the Sheriff ’s Office seeking authorization to hire an independent Inspector General role that would review use-of-force incidents and more. After this report was completed, it was clear that an issue that required further study involved front-line law enforcement response to behavioral health calls. How and whether law enforcement should be the primary response agency to a behavioral health call is a hotly debated issue, but having an in-depth look at what those calls look like in our community (and therefore an informed discussion about how to best approach the response to those calls) hasn’t been done. As a result, the CJC decided to spend this year working on this issue.
What will be the focus for this year’s report? This year’s CJC focus is on frontline law enforcement response to behavioral health calls.
Specifically, the CJC will partner with Applied Survey Research and local law enforcement agencies and nonprofit partners to conduct an in-depth look at local front line behavioral health calls that come into law enforcement. The report will examine the following (this isn’t a complete list, but provides an overview): • Review policies/procedures of local law enforcement agencies regarding training, response, certifications coordination and more in regards to behavioral health issues; • Review whether local agencies partner with (have embedded) non-sworn behavioral health workers and, if so, when/ how often they respond to calls with law enforcement • Survey behavioral health workers that work with law enforcement for their first hand thoughts on the process and structure of the front-line response approach; • Analyze every call over a multiple month period that is related to behavioral health that comes in to local law enforcement and determine whether it was a purely behavioral health call, whether there was a crime also committed and, if so, if it was a misdemeanor or felony, violent or nonviolent; • Analyze what happened if the individual required transport. Were they taken to a behavioral health facility and if so, was there space? Were they transported to a local hospital, and if so, why? Were they transported to jail and if so, why? This year’s report will only be focusing on the front line (initial) response. Future study may be needed to look at the courts, the local health system and other elements that have significant roles in behavioral health incidents and outcomes. But the CJC felt it was important to look at what
happens when the initial call for service comes out—what the response is like and what the outcome is—first, then to consider further exploration after the response leaves the purview of law enforcement. Having this data will help provide a clearer picture on how agencies train and respond to these calls, what the calls actually are that they respond to (are they purely health related or also crime related?) And then what immediately happens afterward (if a transport is required). This information can help inform the policy process and community discussion moving forward about this issue.
What is the Criminal Justice Council? The CJC was created over 30 years ago in an effort to provide increased coordination and cooperation between criminal justice partners—government, nonprofit, educational and others—to reduce youth involvement in gangs. While gang-related issues are a key focus of the CJC, the macro review of policies/procedures and response to issues are also important CJC elements. The CJC focuses discussions on prevention and intervention, best practices as well as reentry programs, rather than simply a suppression model. Additionally, the CJC has worked with closely with school districts, non-profits and others on intervention and prevention programs to reduce youth involvement in gangs and improve local outcomes. From supporting educational efforts, nonprofit sporting leagues, conferences that provide viewpoints from those with lived experience and now creating an annual in-depth look at an issue the CJC’s all-volunteer membership
receives small contributions from the member agencies to fund the programs and report.
Who is on the CJC? A wide variety of community public safety partners serve on the CJC. Local police chiefs, the County Sheriff, the Chief Probation Officer, the District Attorney, leadership of two local non-profits, two local judges, the public defender, the County Superintendent of Schools, the president of Cabrillo College, two County Supervisors, elected representatives from the local cities and more participate. It’s a diverse group that, having participation from local education and nonprofit social program providers, helps create discussions beyond just backend suppression activity toward frontend prevention opportunities. I serve as chair of the CJC, and other members of the Executive Board include the County Superintendent of Schools, the District Attorney, leadership from the Courts, a member of the Scotts Valley City Council and the Watsonville Police Chief. The CJC meets quarterly, and these meetings are open to the public. Over the last year (and into the foreseeable future) these meetings have been virtual. Information (including the 2021 report and policies that informed the report) can be found on the CJC website at santacruzcjc.org. For the last few years, I’ve served as chair of the CJC and would be happy to provide additional information if you have questions. If you have any questions about the CJC, or any other matters in our district, please don’t hesitate to call me at 454-2200. I’m maintaining regular updates on social media as well at www.facebook. com/supervisorfriend.
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FINANCIAL ADVICE
Rising Interest Rates
I
n case you haven’t noticed, inflation is running hot. As I write this article, the latest inflation report that was released had the Consumer Price Index rising 8.5% for the trailing 1-year ending in March 2022. This level of inflation has not been seen in over 40 years (December 1981, to be exact), and it’s getting harder to ignore. Everywhere you turn, things are costing more—gas, groceries, used cars, travel, you name it. In response, the Federal Reserve has embarked on a series of expected interest rate hikes throughout the remainder of 2022 in order to try and rein in inflation. With the expectation of more interest rate hikes in 2022, it’s important to understand how changes to interest rates affect not only your investments, but also your ability to borrow money.
MAY 18, 2022 | APTOS LIFE
Mortgages, Car Loans, and Consumer Debts
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While fixed mortgage rates are not directly tied to the federal funds rate (30-year mortgages are typically tied to the 10-year Treasury note) they are still affected in a rising interest rate environment. We are already seeing some of the effects. Mortgage rates dropped to historically low levels in January 2021, and slowly ticked up for the remainder of 2021. However, in the first quarter of 2022, mortgage rates have increased quite rapidly. According to a survey conducted by Bankrate amongst mortgage lenders, the average mortgage rate for the week of April 13, 2022 was 5.160% for a 30-year fixed and 4.350% for a 15-year fixed, a stark increase from the beginning of the year, where average rates for a 30-year fixed where around 3.75% and a 15-year fixed were
With the expectation of more interest rate hikes in 2022, it’s important to understand how changes to interest rates affect not only your investments, but also your ability to borrow money. around 3%. While many existing homeowners were able to refinance in the last few years at historically low rates, potential homebuyers are currently facing a double-whammy in the form of record high home prices and now markedly higher borrowing costs. Previously, potential homebuyers may have been able to stretch their budgets a little bit further by being able to borrow at ultralow rates. However, potential homebuyers will now need to take a hard look at how much they can truly afford given the new higher interest rate environment and make adjustments to their target purchase price accordingly. In theory, higher borrowing costs should start to cool demand and cause home price appreciation to slow or plateau. Whether or not this happens this year remains to be seen because even though borrowing costs have increased, there is still a lot of pent-up demand coupled with low housing inventory in many parts of the country. The same logic can be applied to car loans. As interest rates on car loans increase, the amount you can borrow decreases if you want to keep your monthly payment the same. You will either need more cash to make up the difference or look for a less expensive car.
Borrowing costs have been low for some time. However, with the prospect of rising rates, it’s especially important to use credit wisely. If you have consumer debt, such as a credit card, that may have a variable rate of interest, you should consider re-evaluating your budget to see if there is any room to potentially pay these types of debts down faster.
Bonds As interest rates increase, bond prices tend to decrease. However, not all bonds are affected equally. Bonds with longer maturities will typically be more adversely affected by rising interest rates than bonds with shorter maturities. Also, bonds with lower coupon rates may be more sensitive to rising interest rates than bonds with higher coupon rates.
Stocks Rising interest rates typically have an indirect impact on stocks. When the Federal Reserve raises the fed funds rate, they are in essence making money more expensive. This in turn may make it more expensive for companies to borrow money from banks and can affect future expansion and earnings. Since stock prices
Soren E. Croxall Financial Advice
are often affected by investor expectations of future profits, a decrease in the estimated future cash flows may potentially cause a stock price to drop, all else being equal. On the flip side, a rising interest rate environment may often coincide with a strong economy, which could be a plus. All else being said, when the Fed increases the federal funds rate, its main goal is to try to tamp down inflation and keep the economy from “overheating.” Different forms of investments react differently in a rising interest rate environment. It is important to understand how your portfolio may react and what level of “interest rate risk” you may be facing in the future. If you need a second opinion or guidance, seek out a qualified professional. Soren Croxall, CFA, CFP® is a registered representative of LPL. Financial Securities and Advisory Services offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Advisor. LPL Financial and Croxall Capital Planning do not provide tax or legal advice. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
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