LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola & Soquel

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APTOS

SOQUEL

CAPITOLA

MAY 2015

EVERYTHING APTOS, CAPITOLA & SOQUEL

Vol. 3 No. 10

Drivers, pedestrians struggle with new roundabout

HISTORY CORNER

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

Education needed on new traffic pattern, officials say

7605-B Old Dominion Court Aptos, CA

The apple industry in Aptos, part 2

By ERIK CHALHOUB

Dried apples and vinegar Last month we talked about how the lumber industry stripped the hills bare and how Fred Hihn brilliantly created a new apple industry to re-employ out of work lumber jacks. We talked about the fresh apple packing industry, the pretty apples. But what happened to all of the ugly and marginal apples? They were dried. Fruit has been preserved by drying for thousands of years and besides snacking, dried apples were widely used in cooking.

But, after the apples were prepared for drying, what happened to the mountain of apple skins and cores? Nothing was wasted. The leftovers were used to produce cider and vinegar.

By 1905 the apple business in Aptos was in full swing with two major packing houses.

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Pleasure Point is shown stemming off the bottom of 41st Avenue in Live Oak. Photo by Tarmo Hannula

Groups announce plans to tackle homelessness

By ALEX VICARS-HARRIS APTOS — Since 1924, the Polo Grounds Park in Aptos has been home to decades of little leaguers, soccer players and baseball teams.

The residents of Santa Cruz County have watched generations of families engage in the bliss of the park but continue to wonder why the absence of permanent bathrooms continues to be an issue.

The several scattered portapotties have provided a last resort to park visitors, but many would prefer to hold it in. With the large number of sports teams using the park over

Power line project Capitola mural Fit for the Fight Briefs Guest Columns Calendar

2 3 3 4-5 10 - 11 14

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the weekends, a permanent and clean way to use the bathroom would prove extremely efficient.

“The bathrooms were part of a phased project after the park master plan was completed,” newly appointed Santa Cruz County Parks Director Jeff Gaffney said, “but as funding became more limited bathrooms were dropped off the priority list.”

Now, along with Supervisor Zach Friend and Gaffney, the Cabrillo Host Lions Club are opening a fundraiser to support

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Campaign under way for bathrooms at park

Monthly publication dedicated to covering everything in

a Home for Every County Resident program April 8 in Aptos. Photo by Tarmo Hannula

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APTOS, CAPITOLA & SOQUEL,CA.

hour-long gathering brought together leaders from around the county, including APTOS — A new multi-layered plan County Human Services, Pajaro Valley to deal with homelessness in Santa Cruz Shelter Services, Santa Cruz Police, the County was announced April 8 at an Housing Authority of Santa Cruz County energized meeting to introduce the All In — and United Way of Santa Cruz County.

The Homeless Action Partnership, Smart Toward a Home for Every County Resident Solutions to Homelessness, and United program.

Hosted by MidPen Housing at the MidPen Way set forth the new Santa Cruz County low-income Aptos Blue Apartments, the Community Strategic Plan with the goal to prevent, reduce and eventually end homelessness. Various speakers outlined steps that community members and leaders can take to implement the plan.

“I think the major difference between this plan and the one 10 years ago is we very consciously wanted to talk about the entire county and all the major players that are involved in ending homelessness,” said United Way of Santa Cruz Executive Director Mary Lou Goeke.

“I think in the decade that has passed since that plan was passed, we have a much better idea of what works.”

Piggybacking on the previous 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness Maria Cerrillos (at podium) talks of how she became (which wound down in 2013) All In homeless during the launching of the All In — Toward will strive to help residents of Santa

By TARMO HANNULA

APTOS — Roundabouts are typically installed at four-way intersections to streamline what was once previously controlled by stop signs, allowing traffic to flow at an almost constant pace.

But, based on initial reports, drivers and pedestrians have been experiencing anything but that with the new traffic pattern at the Esplanade in Rio del Mar. Most concerns about the roundabout center around people’s behavior, said Patrick Mulhearn, an analyst from Supervisor Zach Friend’s office. Drivers have been witnessed making their own paths through the intersection, and pedestrians frequently cut through it, ignoring the crosswalks.

“It really sounds like people are doing the same sorts of things they did in the old quasi-roundabout that was there before: trying to cut across the intersection, ignoring pedestrians’ right-of-way, and generally looking for the most convenient way to get where they’re going,” he said.

The California Highway Patrol has not seen any increases in collisions in the

May 2015

2 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

Commission dismisses power line project Staff report APTOS — The California Public Utilities Commission dismissed PG&E’s application to construct the Santa Cruz 115 Kilovolt Reinforcement Project, a proposal that would have added larger power poles through portions of Watsonville, Corralitos and Aptos.

In a public meeting held on March 26, CPUC President Michael Picker and four commissioners voted unanimously to grant PG&E’s motion to dismiss its application for a permit to construct the project after PG&E and the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), which oversees the statewide power grid, agreed that the project was not needed in the next 10 years.

The CPUC decision concluded, “In light of PG&E’s revised load forecasts and CAISO’s reassessment of the amended 2009 CAISO Transmission Plan, the

Project is not needed at this time.”

The proposal drew concern from residents in the area, who joined together to create the grassroots association Neighbors Organized to Protect Our Community, holding a series of public meetings and distributing information on the project to others in the area.

“From the beginning, Neighbors Organized to Protect Our Community asked one key question: Is this project necessary?” said Dr. Thomas Barker, a founding member of the grassroots community organization. “In the end, the CPUC, PG&E, and CAISO all agreed that this project was not necessary.”

The proposed project would have added a second 115,000-volt transmission line to a 7.1-mile circuit through portions of Aptos, Corralitos and Watsonville. A new 1.7-mile transmission line would have been constructed through Day Valley.

PG&E proposed to erect more than 80 steel power poles, doubling the height of many wooden poles, while building helicopter landing pads in an orchard and fields.

The CPUC released a Mitigated Negative Declaration in October 2013 that asserted that the proposed project would not have a significant effect on the environment.

In a letter dated Dec. 17, 2014, Neil Millar, CAISO executive director of infrastructure development, stated, “Management has agreed that the project is not needed within the 10-year planning horizon, and therefore has approved cancellation of this project.”

On Jan. 27, CPUC Administrative Law Judge Robert Mason issued a ruling that ordered PG&E to file a motion to dismiss its application to construct the project without prejudice.

“The reality is that this ill-conceived and environmentally harmful project

would already be under construction if the public had not spoken out,” said NOPOC member James Kerr. “This project would have cost tens of millions of dollars, paid for by PG&E customers over the next 40 to 50 years, and produced no meaningful improvement in system reliability — at a huge cost to the environment.”

“The community must remain vigilant in case PG&E attempts to revive this project in the future,” Kerr said. “With the continuing decline in demand for electrical power in Santa Cruz County and the accelerating trend toward decentralized solar power, we are cautiously optimistic that such massive and destructive projects will not be necessary in the foreseeable future.”

The commissioners’ decision is posted on the CPUC website at docs.cpuc.ca.gov/ PublishedDocs/Published/G000/M149/ K915/149915253.PDF.

Golden Chiropractic

celebrates new office On April 14, the Aptos Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting for Golden Chiropractic. Golden Chiropractic is located at 9053 Soquel Drive, Suite A, Aptos, (next to the Hideout Restaurant).

The office was previously located in Watsonville. Dr. Goldi Jacques-Maynes is an experienced chiropractor and specializes in adults, children and sports.

The practice also has four massage practioners. A Grand Opening Celebration will be held May 19 at 5 p.m. The opening will feature guest speaker pro-cyclist Ben Jacques-Maynes on "Bodywork and How it Helped Him Prepare for the 10th Amgen Tour of California." For information, call 761-2212 or visit Goldenchiro.net.

Soquel Creek Water District general manager resigns Staff report

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SOQUEL — Soquel Creek Water District announced that General Manager Kim Adamson has resigned after leading the organization for almost two years.

In her resignation to the Board of Directors, Adamson stated that she enjoyed creating a positive working environment for her staff, appreciated the community partnerships she forged, and hopes that the District will continue to move forward in its goals of developing a sustainable water supply.

“During my two years as Soquel Creek Water District’s General Manager, important and critical projects have been completed, responsible public policies have been implemented, and organizational foundations were established and recognized,” Adamson said.

Under Adamson’s leadership, several noteworthy accomplishments by the District include: partnering with the County of Santa Cruz and Central Water District in hosting a yearlong series of groundwater stakeholder meetings to discuss groundwater management between public agencies and private well owners; constructing and operating California’s first permitted Chromium-6 treatment plant; receiving the Transparency of Excellence award by the California Special District Association for the District’s efforts in open government practices; facilitating the first cooperative groundwater management agreement with the City of Santa Cruz; building two new inland wells to redistribute pumping further from the coast; achievement of 20 percent water conservation in 2014; and driving the analysis of possible supplemental supply options for the District.

The Board of Directors accepted Adamson’s resignation and expressed confidence that the District’s dedicated management team and staff will continue its day-to-day functions as it embarks on a transition period of seeking a new general manager.

Ron Duncan, conservation manager will be serving as interim general manager.

Adamson was hired by Soquel Creek Water District in July 2013. Previously she was the general manager of Beacon Hill Water and Sewer District in southwestern Washington for eight years.

May 2015

Capitola mural unveiled

Artists John Ton and Maia Negre unveil a begonia-themed mural in Capitola during a formal ribbon cutting ceremony. Photo by Tarmo Hannula

By TARMO HANNULA CAPITOLA — City officials and townspeople joined mural artists Maia Negre of Aptos and John Ton of Petaluma at an upbeat unveiling of a new 35-foot mural March 28. The work is an extension of an existing mural painted by Ton.

Kohl’s closes temporarily due to flooding Caution tape blocks the main entrance to Kohl’s department store at the Capitola Mall on 41st Avenue Tuesday morning after part of the store was flooded. Mike DeMars of Central Fire said a sudden and powerful downpour left so much water on the roof of Kohl’s that a portion of it caved in. The water then tripped an alarm, alerting authorities. DeMars said a large amount of water splashed down in the children’s clothing department, forcing Kohl’s to close their doors. They reopened April 9 following repairs.

Photo by Tarmo Hannula

Local business hosts annual fundraiser Staff report APTOS — Seascape Village Fitness & Physical Therapy is partnering with Santa Cruz Children’s Charities by hosting their third annual Fit for the Fight Fundraising Event.

This community celebration will take place Friday, May 8 from 7-10 p.m. at Village Fitness Center in Seascape Village. There will be appetizers, desserts, and beverages as well as dancing, and entertainment featuring The Extra Large Band. Silent auction items and raffle prizes will also be sold at the event.

This year, their goal is to raise $25,000 which will be donated to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz Children’s Charities.

For tickets and/or donations, call 7082323.

Emblazoned on an otherwise drab concrete railroad trestle on the north side of Capitola Village, the overall mural, which depicts a Capitola Beach scene surrounded by hundreds of begonias, ties into a 75-foot mural of the same theme.

“It amazes me the amount of love that goes into not only these murals, but the posters for the Art and Wine and the

LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 3

Lisa Saporta of Capitola and her dog, Toufie, walk past the recently completed mural.

Photo by Tarmo Hannula

Begonia festivals,” said City Councilman Michael Termini.

Lisa Saporta of Capitola said she was looking forward to seeing the completed mural.

“It’s amazing,” she said. “It’s such a contribution to our community. They did a great job.”

Kelly Barreto, Art and Cultural

Commission Administrative Assistant, said she felt the mural added tremendously to the village.

“I’m excited to be a part of bringing more dynamic art to Capitola,” Barreto said. “It’s a pleasure to work with such talented artists as John and Maia. We have had a blast planning this project.”

May 2015

4 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

CABRILLO GALLERY

DOG FESTIVAL

April 17 proclaimed Parent Participation Preschool Day Staff report SOQUEL — During the “Week of the Young Child” First District Supervisor John Leopold honored the cooperative preschools of Santa Cruz County by proclaiming “Parent Participation Preschool Day” at a ceremony on April 17 at the Louden Nelson Community Center in Santa Cruz.

Since the founding of Soquel Parent Education Nursery School in 1949, three additional cooperative preschools have been established. During the past 65 years Soquel PENS, Westside Parent Education Nursery School, Santa Cruz Parent Education Nursery School and Watsonville Cooperative Preschool have provided education for young children and their parents comprising more than 10,000 families.

Using daily seminars to teach parents Positive Discipline and help them understand their children, parental learning is enhanced by the hands-on concept of the co-op school setting.

“For 65 years we have nurtured children to become thoughtful, tolerant adults who can think independently and lead productive, purposeful lives,” said teacher Nancy Samsel of Soquel PENS. “Losses of state funding and lack of recognition have placed undue burdens on all four cooperative nursery schools in the county. For those reasons we truly appreciate Supervisor Leopold’s acknowledgement of our hard work and success”

Alexander Khah’s acrylic on canvas work, “Merissa,” is on display at the Cabrillo Gallery.

Gallery showcases student works

Photo by Pierre Tardif

Dog festival returns

Staff report APTOS — Cabrillo Gallery’s “Student Exhibition 2015” will run through May 15.

The exhibit features artwork completed by Cabrillo College Art Department students during the spring 2014 semester. A sampling of work includes paintings, watercolors, mixed media collage, drawings, serigraphs, intaglio, ceramics, sculptures, small-scale metal/ jewelry, fiber art, traditional and digital photography, and video.

The artwork is selected by students and faculty, and includes up to three works from each studio class.

The exhibition is designed and installed by Cabrillo College student volunteers.

The gallery is located at Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Drive, room 1002 in Aptos. For information, visit www.cabrillo.edu/services/artgallery.

Staff report SOQUEL — The Spring Dog Festival, presented by the Coastal Dog Owners Group, will be held May 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Soquel High School.

The 14th annual festival will feature games, agility, treibball, nosework, herding, frisbee, field work, and lure coursing.

An adoption showcase will feature rescue dogs who need homes.

The event raises thousands for local dogs in need and provides an intro to dog sports.

Admission is $5 per person, and $10 per dog. For information, visit coastaldogs.com or call 888-6826972.

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LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 5

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Capitola Soroptimists sponsoring fundraising raffle

Staff report

CAPITOLA — Soroptimist International (SI) of Capitola-By-The-Sea is currently selling raffle tickets for a one-week stay at a luxury Victoria, British Columbia condominium as a spring fundraiser with proceeds to be used for Soroptimist programs.

The two-bedroom, one bath condominium is located two blocks from the BC museum and the Empress Hotel with an 180-degree view of the Olympic mountains and Strait of Juan de Fuca to the inner Victoria harbor. Travel is valid until Oct. 31 and is subject to availability. Total value of the raffle prize is $1,650. Airfare and transportation are not included.

Tickets are $100 each and only 100 tickets will be sold. Tickets can be purchased from any Capitola Soroptimist member, or by calling 684-0181. The drawing to determine the winner will be held on June 2 at an as yet to be determined location. Ticket holders need not be present to win, however, drawings for additional prizes for those attending will be included.

“We think this is a great opportunity for a fabulous, luxury vacation for a nominal cost of $100,” said SI President Kristin Rohan. “A couple of best friends can share the cost of the raffle ticket and make it an even more affordable and awesome experience they can share.”

Proceeds will support Capitola Soroptimist’s programs including the Live Your Dream education and training awards for women, and the Dream It, Be It career support for girls in secondary schools who face obstacles to their future success.

Soroptimist, a coined Latin phrase meaning “Best for Women,” is a global volunteer organization working to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment. For information, or to become a member, visit the SI Capitola website at www.best4women.org or email info@best4women.org.

Work by Juan Ramon Gimeno will be available at the Santa Cruz Clay Show and Sale. Contributed photo Leonardo Santana (second from left) and his wife, Patricia, are presented with a proclamation from the Board of Supervisors and a Certificate of Recognition from Assemblyman Mark Stone. Contributed photo

Clay show features 24 artists

Restaurant donates $37,048 to community organizations

Staff report SOQUEL — The 12th Annual Santa Cruz Clay Show and Sale returns May 16-17 at Bargetto Winery in Soquel, featuring 24 artists in 18 booths.

This free event takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Booths are arrayed outdoors in the front parking lot and courtyard of Bargetto Winery, 3535 N. Main St., Soquel. This year’s group of artists offers everything from highest quality tableware, to vases and sculptures.

Established in 2004, seven of the founding clay artists will be on hand this year. A Demonstration Area will feature local high school ceramics students showing off their pottery wheel throwing skills.

This year’s artists are: Yumiko Aso, Steve Baranowski. Bonnie and Steven Barisof, Faye Cates, Andrea Dana-McCullough, Juan Ramon Gimeno, Jennifer and Iver Hennig, Laurie and Dan Hennig, Mattie Leeds, Jeannine C. Niehaus, Bayje Pomeroy, Tony Rubio and Rhea Dennis, Nora Sarkissian, Sandy and Hank Scott, Nina and Kevin Wahl, Renee Sayer Wence, Susan Wildenberg and Alan Wilks.

For information, visit www.santacruzclay.com.

Staff report APTOS — To commemorate its 50th anniversary, Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant raised money for five local organizations by donating 50 percent of sales during a week of celebration March 9–15 and raffling off artwork by restaurant founder Manuel Santana.

A total of $37,048 was donated to the Homeless Services Center of Santa Cruz, Second Harvest Food Bank, Teen Kitchen Project, Cabrillo College Visual, Applied and Performing Arts and Monarch Services (formerly Women’s Crisis Center/Defensa de Mujeres).

The celebration culminated with a seven-piece mariachi band on March 15 and the drawing on March 16 when five winners took home a Santana giclee.

For information about Manuel’s, located at 261 Center Ave. in Aptos, visit www.manuelsrestaurant. com.

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May 2015

6 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

History Corner

Continued from page 1

Ralph J. Mattison and his 19-year-old partner, Lam Pon (from Canton, China), started the Lam-Mattison, (L & M) apple dryer. Lam Pon owned a share of the business but he could not own the land.

Chinese were not allowed to own property outright. Hihn also built an apple dryer where the post office is today but the LamMattison dryer was the more successful of the two enterprises. The L&M dryer started out with two large chimneys but as technology changed it was converted to six smaller exhaust vents.

The majority of workers in the dryer were Chinese. It was hot dirty work. In fact, so many Chinese worked in apple dryers around Watsonville that the buildings became known as China dryers. The first step in making dried apples was to peel them with little hand cranked machines that would quickly strip the skin off with a razor. Then the apples were cored, sliced and dipped in a sulphur solution. The dryer had fires burning on the ground under the main floor. The main floor was a grate with holes in it to let in the heat. The top of the building had large chimneys to cause the heat to flow upwards. The apple slices would be spread on the floor and periodically turned with a large flat shovel during the 12-hour drying period.

The Chinese lived in a bunkhouse next to the dryer. It had a kitchen with large woks and bunks were stacked to the ceiling along both walls. The bunkhouse once held 125 workers, but 35 to 40 became the norm.

Many of the artifacts in the Aptos History Museum were recovered from the trash pit at the former Chinese bunkhouse.

The 1979 archeological dig for the Aptos Station shopping center development uncovered many items including bottles, food containers, medicine flasks and even a child’s marble.

In 1930, Lam Pon returned to China, and his brother, Otto Lam, stayed on as foreman until sometime in the 1940s before starting his own dryer on Mattison Lane in Soquel.

I remember seeing it in the 1980s and ‘90s.

It was a green, barn-like building next to Highway 1 with two airplane propellers on the roof to pull the heat through the apple slices below. It closed in 2000. Lam Pon’s daughter Anna and adopted son George Ow Sr. returned to the United States and George made a fortune developing real estate in Santa Cruz County and beyond.

In 1918, Ralph D. Mattison, son of Ralph J. Mattison, began building a vinegar works with a 200,000-gallon capacity which was later increased to 350,000 gallons. The

The L&M apple dryer in 1920 is the dark building on the left. The Bay View Hotel is on the far right. Notice that there are no trees left on the hills. Carolyn Swift collection

Twenty-year-old Ralph D. Mattison in 1916 shoveling apple slices inside the dryer. Carolyn Swift collection

peelings and discarded apples were pressed to make the cider that would be made into vinegar. The cider was pumped up the hill into tanks and racked off downhill utilizing gravity flow to a warehouse next to the tracks. Apple cider vinegar was shipped first in barrels, then in tank cars and trucks.

Ralph D. Mattison sold his vinegar works to Pete Cresini in 1941. Pete’s son Rich is a local winemaker and retired radiologist. Rich has donated many items to the museum including some jade perfume bottles and a Tiger Wine jar that he found beneath the vacant Chinese bunkhouse.

The apple industry in Aptos Village began to decline in the 1920s as it moved to Watsonville and seriously waned when the Lam-Mattison Dryer closed in 1940.

The last fruit operations ceased in 1959.

Aptos Village went into a decline and most of the significant buildings were torn down. To make matters worse, in 1949 Highway 1 was constructed and completely by-passed Aptos Village

shifting commercial enterprises to the Rio Del Mar and State Park exits. Perhaps the planned redevelopment of the village core will help to restore vitality to Aptos Village as the vibrant heart of our community.

Next month: A famous apple is discovered in Aptos.

Aptos Village History Tour. See the sights we have been talking about!

Saturday, May 9, Mothers Day weekend, we will hold a two-hour guided tour through historic Aptos Village from 10 a.m. until noon, $25 per person. The tour is limited to 20 people and is dog-friendly.

Reservations are required, 688-1467.

Much of this information was taken directly from historical reports on Aptos Village and Sandy Lydon.

The Aptos History museum is a community service of the Aptos Chamber of Commerce.

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May 2015

Roundabout

LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 7

Tips for navigating a roundabout

Continued from page 1

area since the roundabout was installed, said Officer Bradley Sadek. However, he noted, it is too early to say if there is any difference in the area because many of the crashes occur during the heavy beach commute months.

Dan Rothenbush, president of the Rio del Mar Improvement Association, said he has received emails from residents concerned about the new roundabout.

One couple who frequently walk the area, he noted, complained that since the stop signs were removed, they felt it was dangerous to cross Aptos Beach Drive.

Rothenbush said he suggested that yield to pedestrians signs be added. County officials told him that they are looking into additional signage.

“Any additional signage needs to address the locals’ issues, but during the summer tourist season their issues need to

be also addressed if that is a possibility,” he said.

Most of the problem stems from a lack of education on roundabouts, according to Mulhearn.

“We have done a poor job in this state preparing people for modern road infrastructure and since roundabouts are not going away, we should endeavor to introduce these concepts to people as we’re developing them locally,” he said.

Mulhearn said the county has done outreach to residents on the roundabout at community meetings. Also, he said, Public Works will continue to evaluate the roundabout and make improvements.

Carey Pico of the Rio del Mar Improvement Association said roundabouts are relatively new to this part of the world, but are commonplace in Europe. It’s a cultural shift that will take

Polo Grounds Park the construction of permanent bathrooms inside the park.

“This is a great opportunity for the community to literally buy into our county park system” Friend said. “It’s a terrible shame that generations of children and families visiting Polo Grounds have had to seek relief elsewhere when nature calls.”

To raise the estimated $266,500 for the restroom/concession stand building, the

Sadek advises drivers to obey the established flow of traffic and signage, while signaling your intentions once in the roundabout. The California Driver Handbook lists a number of tips for motorists regarding roundabouts, including: • Slow down as you approach the intersection.

• Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists crossing the roadway.

• Watch for signs and pavement markings that guide you or prohibit certain movements.

• Enter the roundabout when there is a big enough gap in traffic.

• Drive in a counterclockwise direction. Do not stop or pass other vehicles.

• Use your turn signals when you change lanes or exit the roundabout.

• If you miss your exit, continue around until you return to your exit. some adjusting to.

“Here, people don’t know what to expect and it feels unsafe,” Pico said. “But that’s what makes roundabouts safer overall. This sense of insecurity brings higher awareness to all users. In other words, everyone is looking out for the other to make a mistake.”

The Rio del Mar roundabout is the

third such traffic pattern to be installed in Santa Cruz County in the past year. In October, a roundabout was completed at Clifford Avenue and Pennsylvania Drive in Watsonville. Currently, workers are wrapping up a new roundabout at Beach Street and Pacific Avenue in Santa Cruz.

For information, visit www.dot.ca.gov/ dist1/roundabouts.

needed to protect the community.”

Three donation brackets have been created for the amount donated. Upwards of $7,500 will receive Platinum Sponsor status, more than $5,000 will receive Gold Sponsor status, and above $2,500 will receive Silver Sponsor status. All labels

come with special recognition and gifts from the Cabrillo Host Lions, including engraved bricks on the new park building.

If the money is not raised, it will go toward other park projects in need of funding.

To donate or for information about the project, visit gogopolo.org.

Continued from page 1

Cabrillo Host Lions are planning several fundraising events, such as a Casino Night on Oct. 24 at the Simpkins Swim Center, 979 17th Ave. in Santa Cruz. Donations are encouraged from local businesses as well as individuals, anything that will help the park gain the necessary amenities it needs.

“I believe this will save taxpayers money,” Gaffney said. “Bathrooms are a basic park amenity and additionally are

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Cabrillo Host Lions Club members, Santa Cruz County officals and others unveil a sign asking for donations to build bathrooms and a concession stand at the Polo Grounds on April 17.

Photo by Mary Chavez

Homelessness

Tools to Make Parenting Easier

Continued from page 1

Cruz County to have access to safe, stable housing, will have incomes to support their well-being, and access to culturally competent services to empower them.

“This is not going to be a plan that sits on a shelf,” Julie Conway, Santa Cruz County housing coordinator, said. “This is going to be a plan that will help us successfully compete for the funding to address homelessness.”

All In revolves around eight priorities: • Transforming the crisis response system • Increasing access to permanent housing • Integrating community support • Ending chronic and other adult homelessness.

• Addressing needs in South County.

• Responding to youth and young adult homelessness.

• Ending veteran homelessness.

“Homelessness is a complex debilitating process,” said Cecilia Espinola, Santa Cruz County Director of Human Services Department. “This plan represents the community’s best thinking.”

Santa Cruz Mayor Don Lane said a lot of work still has to be done.

“Now we go from managing to ending homelessness,” he said.

Maria Cerrillos of Watsonville told the gathering of how her 11-year marriage caved in and of how eviction followed.

“All of a sudden I was a single mom with two children living in my truck,” she said. “I’m sorry, I’m a little nervous. I felt hopeless. I was afraid.

I even lost my voice for a week.”

Cerrillos explained how she and her kids would have their meals in parks around Watsonville.

“I can name all the parks because we got to know them real well,” Cerrillos said. “For two months we ate in the parks.

When I looked at my children’s faces it gave me hope. Then Pajaro Valley Shelter Services took us in and my children got their wish — bunk beds. If it was not for Pajaro Valley Shelter Services I don’t know where I’d be today.”

First 5 Santa Cruz County triplep.first5scc.org 831.465.2217

Leave bags of non-perishable items out for your letter carrier to pick up. Donations will be delivered to Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County.

Planning for the Unexpected There are many what-ifs in life: What if I lose my job? How will this affect my retirement outlook? What if I need long term care in the future? Will my assets be able to support me? What if I were to pass away prematurely? Will my family be taken care of? With all of these what-if scenarios, it’s important to have a plan in place to prepare for the unexpected.

CONTACT US FOR A complimentary CONSULTATION CROXALL CAPITAL PLANNING (831) 661-4006  (800) 900-9090

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Soren E. Croxall, CFP® Registered Associate 9 Seascape Village Aptos, CA 95003 Email: gary.croxall@natplan.com

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

May 2015

8 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

Fall prevention: Simple steps to prevent falls in your home

By RYAN COLLIGAN

Director at Safe at Home Senior Care

When it comes to falls, the statistics are staggering.

One out of three people 65 and older fall each year. Falls are the leading cause of death due to injury for seniors.

One bad fall can be the difference between a healthy, independent lifestyle and a lifestyle of complete dependence.

I run a local home care agency. We provide in-home care for seniors so they can remain independent in their own homes for as long as possible. Unfortunately, I know all too well the impact one fall can have on a senior’s health and lifestyle.

Not long ago, I visited an elderly man and his family in his home to discuss our services. This elderly man had experienced a couple of recent falls. Nothing serious he assured me, but serious enough to recognize that it was time to seek the assistance of professional help. Together, we determined that we could help. We scheduled to begin services with one of our care providers the following week.

I received a call two days later from one of his children.

The man had fallen. This time, it was a bad fall. So bad in fact, that he wound up in Dominican Hospital in critical condition. The fall had completely devastated this man who

just one week prior was in great physical and mental health.

Overnight, he lost his ability to walk, to feed himself, even to use the restroom. One bad fall had completely stripped him of his independence. He was bed-ridden and placed on Hospice Care. After a couple of weeks in the hospital, he was allowed to go home, with the assistance of our inhome aides and a Hospice Nurse. Within a week of returning home, the man passed away.

This story is not uncommon. That one fall was the catalyst for this man’s sudden and drastic decline in health and eventual death.

What can we do to prevent our elder loved ones from falling so they can remain safe and independent for as long as possible?First, address the issue directly with your family member or loved one. Don’t be surprised if they are not being entirely forthcoming about their fall history. Discuss the consequences of that individual experiencing a fall. In many cases, the consequences are a complete loss of that individual’s ability to care for his or herself.

Second, identify areas of risk in the individual’s living environment and make adaptations to promote safety while minimizing fall hazards. Install adaptive equipment like grab bars in the bathroom. Determine if there is a need for a shower bench in the shower. Replace the existing rugs with

new non-slip rugs or remove the rugs altogether. There are many considerations to make and many resources available to determine what adaptations can be made in the home to reduce the risk of falling. Start by making an appointment with your loved one’s primary care physician. The physician can assess your loved one’s condition and refer your loved one to an occupational therapist that can visit the home and assist in making decisions that will make the home a safer place to live. Alternatively, you can call Safe at Home Senior Care for a complimentary in-home assessment.

Finally, seek the help of your network of support. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Talk to family members, friends, members of your church and other important individuals in your life that can check-in on your loved one to make sure he or she is safe. You may even consider the services of a professional home care agency that has trained, professional, bonded, and insured staff that can serve as a companion to your loved one while assisting with tasks that might otherwise be too difficult for them to do safely on their own.

••• Ryan Colligan is the Director of Safe at Home Senior Care. To contact Safe at Home Senior Care, please call 462-3500.

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May 2015

LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 9

e An old-world craftsman Saddle maker forges a name for himself

By TODD GUILD APTOS — When he was a young man growing up in France and searching for his place in the world, Shamss Bennadja took a job with a saddle company as a way to put himself through engineering school.

So it was that he mastered the tools and learned to shape, sculpt and bend the leather, wood and other materials of the trade.

Bennadja, 47, also discovered the art in intertwining the needs of horse and rider while creating products both functional and elegant.

It wasn’t long before he realized his search was over before it had begun: in embarking on his journey to become a master craftsman, he had already found his place in the world.

In 2003, Bennadja launched Gravity, his own brand of English saddles he makes by hand and sells from his small shop in the heart of Aptos Village. He also offers repair and readjustment services.

The name Gravity, he said, is an homage to the balance every rider must find, and the battle they must win, as they master their horsemanship.

“We all the time work with gravity,” he said.

Bennadja, whose parents immigrated to France from their native Algeria, said his name — Shamss — is Arabic for sun. Indeed, with a quick smile and a friendly bearing he exudes a warmth and humbleness that immediately makes visitors feel welcome.

After his introduction to the trade in 1989, he honed his skills over 14 years working for such notable French saddle makers as Devoucoux and Hermes.

In that capacity he traveled to the U.S. to repair and restore saddles for the companies’ clients. It was here he discovered a market for custom saddles larger than anything possible in Europe.

Seeing the high demand for his work, and a growing base of people demanding his services, he also realized he had the skills to set off on his own.

He moved to the U.S. seven years ago, first to Sonoma to tap into the large population of horse enthusiasts there.

In 2003 he relocated to Aptos, near the confluence of Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties where an even larger population of ranches, farms and stables assure a strong customer base.

It also helped that he met his future wife here. He and his wife have a 3-year-old son and are expecting their second child.

As other specialty sports have adapted through the years to use carbon fiber and other high-tech materials, the equestrian world has largely retained old-world methods and materials. Most saddles are still fashioned from leather, and many of the best are made by hand, Bennadja said.

But that is precisely why he loves his craft, he said.

Bonny Doon resident Jennifer Joslin said she began using Bennadja’s services at the suggestion of her trainer Matthew Brown, who owns Petaluma-based East West Training Stables.

Her choice to do so was a large vote of confidence from Joslin, who said she has a saddle business of her own.

“I have very high standards,” she said.

She said that Bennadja has an intricate knowledge of the biodynamics of horses, and added that he is “incredibly nice” to boot.

“There are a lot of saddle makers out there who don’t take their work as seriously and who don’t listen to their customers like he does,” she said. “I’m a huge fan.”

Bennadja’s philosophy is a simple one.

He designs his saddles based on each customer’s needs, their style of riding and on their horses’ measurements.

“Nothing is generic,” he said.

More importantly, although sublimely

Shamss Bennadja poses with one of his original handmade English saddles at his saddlemaking shop, Gravity, in Aptos. Photos by Tarmo Hannula

Tools in the trade of saddle-making.

elegant, his saddles are not meant to be “gems.”

“I see a saddle as a tool,” he said. “My goal is to make the combination of the rider and horse perfect. They should forget the saddle is there.”

••• Gravity is located at 8040 Soquel Drive

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in Aptos.

Prices start at $3,470, and include assistance and repairs the first year.

Customers should expect five weeks for turnaround.

For information, call 325-3013, email shamss@gravity-saddlemaker.com or visit www.gravity-saddlemaker.com.

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

May 2015

10 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

Guest Columnist

Will Baby Boomers ever really retire?

By GARY E. CROXALL, CFP® and SOREN E. CROXALL, CFP® Baby Boomers, traditionally defined as people born between 1946 to 1964, began turning 65 in 2011. According the US Census Bureau, as of April 2014, there are approximately 76.4 million baby boomers in the United States and baby boomers will be turning age 65 at a rate of 8,000 per day until about 2029. However, even with so many people hitting this so called “retirement age” many baby boomers are choosing to remain in the work force longer. Their reasons for remaining in the workforce are varied depending on individual situations.

However, we will delve into a few major

considerations below.

••• Attitudes toward remaining in the workforce Many boomers are choosing to remain in the workforce longer because of increasing longevity and overall good health in the United States. Many boomers who don’t keep full time employment often shift to some kind of part time work or consulting in order to remain engaged. A Pew poll of 7,000 households found that only 26 percent of households felt that their retirement years would be work-free. On the flip side, the same poll found that 21 percent of respondents said they had no intention of ever retiring.

••• The Great Recession and changes in the workplace The Great Recession saw many people’s retirement accounts and home values decimated. The market has since come roaring back. However, many investors who got skittish and put their investments accounts into cash may have missed out of the market’s recovery over the past six years. Many boomers may have also faced

a job loss during the Great Recession and are looking to keep working longer in order to try and make up for losses they may have sustained.

Changes to workplace benefits also weigh heavily on boomer’s retirement plans. Pension plans have been replaced by 401(k)s and employer provided retiree health insurance is nearly non-existent.

••• Caring for children and parents Just as the Great Recession took a toll on many Baby Boomers, it also sent a lot of their kids back into their home. According to a Census poll, from 2009-2013 the number of children age 18-34 years (the Millennial Generation) living with a parent was 30.3 percent. This was the highest level ever recorded. Baby Boomers also have faced having to care for aging parents.

Having to financially supports not only their parents in the latter years of their life, but also adult children has left many boomers unable to properly save for their own eventual retirement.

Given the events and trends just outlined above, it is easy enough to see why many boomers are not prepared or willing to

move into retirement on a “traditional schedule.” Retirement for many is just not an “automatic” event. Planning ahead has taken on an even more crucial importance when the current wave of Baby Boomers seriously assess what retirement is really going to look like for them.

Gary E. Croxall, CFP® Soren E. Croxall, CFP® Croxall Capital Planning

Securities and Advisory Services offered through National Planning Corporation (NPC), member FINRA/ SIPC, a Registered Investment Advisor.

Consulting and Investment Management offered through Croxall Capital Planning (CCP), a Registered Investment Advisor.

CCP and NPC are separate and unrelated companies. NPC and CCP do not provide tax or legal advice. The information contained herein is for general education and is not intended as specific advice or a recommendation to any person or entity.

The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of NPC.

Guest Columnist

Overview of the county budget

By ZACH FRIEND

Santa Cruz County Supervisor

In this article I wanted to give an overview of the county budget. Where do the revenues come from? How are our taxes spent? Given how much we pay in property taxes, why can’t we have better roads or even more Sheriff’s Deputies on patrol?

These are excellent questions and

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hopefully the information below will help shed some light on the process.

Each June the Board of Supervisors votes on a budget for the coming fiscal year.

Priorities are generated from requests from county departments and requests from the community at-large. A thorough examination of each department’s needs and an analysis of current (and expected) revenue are conducted and ultimately the budget is passed after a week of public budget hearings.

Where exactly do our revenues come from? How are our taxes spent?

Nearly 55 percent of all county revenues come from the state and federal government; a much different funding structure than cities. These funds are generally passthrough funds to provide state and federally mandated services. In other words, these funds are not generally available to fix the roads or pay for our Sheriff’s Department.

Approximately 22 percent of the county revenue comes from local taxes. And while property taxes make up about half of that 22 percent, you may be surprised to learn how little of your property tax dollar goes to the county.

For every $1 the county collects in property taxes, it is only allowed to keep approximately 13 cents.

So where does the rest of your property tax go to? The largest share, about 57 percent goes to local schools while another 17 percent goes to local special districts, cities and the libraries.

What about sales tax?

About 1 percent of local sales tax

collected stays within the jurisdiction where it was spent. For example, assuming an 8.25 percent county sales tax here is the breakdown: 5.25 percent goes to the state; 1.25 percent goes to local libraries, the Metro (bus) and regional transportation projects; 0.5 percent is for Prop. 172 local public safety mandates, 0.5 percent is for local health and social services which leaves 1 percent to pay for general purposes in the jurisdiction in which the tax was collected.

I know this is a bit complex, but it helps illustrate how small of a percentage of sales tax goes specifically to the county for services such as the Sheriff’s Office.

How are county funds spent?

Now let’s look at how the county’s funds are spent. Approximately 33 percent is spent on health and sanitation services with another 26 percent spent on human services. Most of these human, health and sanitation expenditures are state and federal government mandates. The largest portion of the county’s discretionary spending is for public protection (Sheriff’s Dept., Probation, County Fire), which is 30 percent. Only 1 percent of county funding is dedicated to parks and open space. The remainders of the funds are spent on debt services, general government functions or are held in contingency/reserve.

I hope this short budget primer was helpful. As always, as we build this year’s budget I’d love to hear your budget priorities. Please feel free to call at 4542200.

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May 2015

LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 11

Guest Columnist

? Aptos Village Project moving forward

By JOHN HIBBLE

After 15 years of planning and community input, Aptos Village is poised to be redeveloped. No, it doesn’t have anything to do with a Redevelopment Agency or state money. It is redevelopment because it is replacing part of the village that once was.

During the lumber era the village was filled with lumber yards and railroad tracks. According to an old pamphlet, “there once were five railroad spur tracks loading out of Aptos, and folks from the cities took Sunday excursions on trains from the ‘Village’ up to see the brawney loggers at work.

“Sedate though it may appear now, Aptos, in addition to its two hotels, the present Bayview and what is now the Aptos Club, boasted 13 saloons and two railroad stations, and a deep sea pier from which ships carried flour and apples to Australia.

Loggers poured gold across the counters of the stores and ranchers came down from the hills with their teams wearing bells to warn other drivers on the narrow road to

turn aside — ‘teams a comin’ downhill fast.’ Visitors needing clean shirts could send them to the laundry where two sisters scrubbed them on scrub boards.”

During the apple era the Village was filled with packing houses, vinegar works and support buildings. The Suntan Special brought visitors from Alameda and San Francisco. But those buildings have all been torn down. When Highway 1 bypassed the Village it went into decline.

How did this new Aptos Village development get started? Aptos Village had one of the first Community Design plans in the state. It is a specific plan that governs how the village should develop and is required by the State of California. It was originally designed by the community and adopted in 1979 and revised in 1985.

In 1999 a notorious developer tried to build a modern high rise office complex in our village which would have been a disaster. Our Supervisor stopped the project and initiated a complete review and update of the Aptos Village Plan with input from all of the stakeholders including State Parks and the public. It took 10 years to finalize and approve the plan. The design

is walkable and includes two new streets.

The architecture is respectful of the buildings that still exist. The Aptos Village Plan has been available for viewing for five years on the county’s website at www.sccoplanning.com/Portals/2/County/ Planning/env/Aptos_Village_Plan.pdf.

The Barry Swenson Company became involved in the process and designed their project to match what the community had asked for. Jesse Nickell of Barry Swenson offered to let the bicycle community use the Post Office jump site temporarily.

They leased the jumps to County Parks for $1 per year and even helped to build the jumps. The kids got to legally use the land for eight years.

The Aptos Village development project was approved unanimously two years ago by the County Board of Supervisors.

Aptos Village will be a showplace of water efficient design and has a Platinum rating.

The homes and businesses in the Village will have high efficiency fixtures and will even have ultra-high efficiency washing machines pre-installed. The project will use artificial turf, rain gardens, pervious paving, and bioswales that will treat storm

water and maximize infiltration back into the soil.

The Aptos Village project has not only reduced district-wide water consumption enough to mitigate the amount of water required for the completed Aptos Village, but it has also reduced district-wide water consumption by an additional 60 percent more. Water savings have been achieved by replacing hundreds of inefficient water fixtures throughout the water district with those that are highly-efficient, thereby reducing overall annual water consumption at no cost to the District’s customers. Even after the project is built, total district water consumption will be reduced by 4.4 million gallons per year.

Historically, Aptos Village has been a hub of activity, as a lumber town in the late 1800s and a commercial apple processing center from 1900 to 1959. During the 1960s most of the buildings were torn down. The Aptos Village project is replacing what has been torn down with what the community has said that we want and will reestablish the Village as the heart of our community.

Guest Columnist

Ask Nicole: Using rewards as a teaching tool

By NICOLE M. YOUNG, MSW As a parent I know that sometimes we need to look for ways to motivate our children to do things like follow directions, get along with others, be more independent or do well in school. While we want to see a change in behavior, we also don’t want to beg, use bribes, or spend money on expensive items every time we want our child to do the right thing.

Many of us often hear conflicting advice: “Rewards are necessary to motivate children” or “rewards prevent children from developing internal motivation and responsibility.” It’s confusing when those two viewpoints are presented as mutually exclusive. I’ve learned neither of those extremes is entirely true, but both contain valid points.

This monthly column provides tips for anyone who is helping raise children, based on the world-renowned Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, available to families in Santa Cruz County.

Dear Nicole, My mom and I disagree about rewarding kids for good behavior. She thinks behavior charts and rewards are just a form of bribery, and that kids become dependent on getting rewards or people’s

approval instead of learning to “do the right thing.” I use rewards with my young kids (4 and 6), and they seem fine. In fact, it seems to help them want to do better on their own. Who is right?

Sandra Dear Sandra, You’re both right. It’s true that incentives can be overused or misused, and become ineffective. However, rewards are also a useful part of the “parenting toolkit,” and in reality, are a part of everyday life.

When used effectively, rewards and incentives can be useful tools that help children develop new skills, as well as their “internal compass” – the motivation, self-discipline and independence that will guide their behaviors and choices throughout life. Try these tips: Identify a specific skill, habit or behavior that your child is working on. It might be a behavior that you’d like to see more (sharing) or less (hitting), or a skill that your child is developing – e.g. tying shoes, staying in bed at night or getting ready for school. Picking just one skill or behavior to work on at a time will help it feel achievable to your child and lead to greater success.

Set a specific, realistic goal. Keep the goal simple and reasonable for your child’s age and abilities, especially if it’s the first time your child will be working on it. Involve your children in setting the goal so they are more invested in the change.

Make the goal progressively harder to reach as your child becomes more skilled or the new behavior becomes a habit.

Create a list of rewards or incentives that interest your child. Involve your child in selecting a reward for meeting the goal.

Get creative. Decide whether material rewards are suitable and feasible in your family. If they are, try to find healthy options and use them sparingly or for harder-to-achieve goals.

Give descriptive praise and encouragement. Use descriptive praise to show your child you’re noticing efforts and progress. Praise that is specific and genuine is often rewarding enough to encourage your child to do more of the same behavior.

Phase out the reward once your child has mastered the new skill or behavior.

Continue giving descriptive praise. If needed, repeat the process of setting a goal, identifying a reward and encouraging your child’s efforts.

Remember that it’s your child’s choice to work toward the reward or not. Rewards become ineffective if they are disguised

threats or nagging. Once you’ve set the goal with your child and agreed on the reward to be earned, help your child figure out how to meet that goal and provide encouragement.

Final thoughts: Whether and how to use rewards is a decision that each family must make based on what feels right for them. When used effectively, rewards can be a powerful tool for giving feedback and encouragement that make the process of learning a new skill or behavior rewarding in and of itself.

••• Nicole Young is the mother of two children, ages 11 and 15, who also manages Santa Cruz County’s Triple P - Positive Parenting Program, the world’s leading positive parenting program. Scientifically proven, Triple P is made available locally by First 5 Santa Cruz County, the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency (Mental Health Services Act) and the Santa Cruz County Human Services Department.

Visit triplep.first5scc.org, www. facebook.com/triplepscc or www.

youtube.com/triplepsantacruzco

for more. To find a Triple P class or practitioner, contact First 5 Santa Cruz County at 465-2217 or triplep@

first5scc.org.

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(831) 688-5100

May 2015

12 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

MAY 2015

Warriors win NBA D-League title

By TONY NUNEZ SANTA CRUZ — Through the last half of the season nearly everything had gone right for the Santa Cruz Warriors.

They had won a franchise-record 11 straight games, a franchise-best 34 games in a season, the West Division crown and, in a stroke of luck, had guard Elliot Williams return from the NBA right on time for playoffs. Oh, and don’t forget erasing a 20-point deficit to win Game 1 of the D-League Finals.

Everything had gone right for Warriors and on April 26, that trend continued.

After being swept in back-to-back Finals, Santa Cruz made sure it finished the job in Game 2 and brought home its first D-League Finals championship by beating the Fort Wayne Mad Ants 109-96 in front of a sold out crowd at Kaiser Permanente Arena.

“Coming into the game — driving over here — I was thinking, ‘if we win it’s the right thing,’ because it’s the way I feel about our guys,” said Santa Cruz Warriors head coach Casey Hill. “Everything that we’ve been through and the fight they’ve put forth — all those great things — they deserve this title. I couldn’t have been happier to have been their coach.”

Two years ago — with Hill as the assistant and now Bakersfield Jam head coach Nate Bjorkgren leading the team — the Warriors were swept by the Rio Grande Valley Vipers and last year Santa Cruz lost in two games to the Mad Ants.

This season the stars aligned for Santa Cruz.

“Third time’s a charm,” Hill said. “That couldn’t be more true right now.”

Williams, who returned to the Warriors on

April 3 after his fifth 10-day contract, scored a game-high 23 points while pulling down five rebounds and dishing out five assists. He was named Finals MVP. In Game 1 he scored a game-high 31 points.

“That award,” Williams said. “That’s a team award. I wouldn’t be able to do it without them.”

Darington Hobson had 22 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, Golden State Warriors assignee James Michael McAdoo added 21 points and seven boards and Taylor Griffin chipped in 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Ognjen Kuzmic, on assignment from Golden State, had 10 points and 10 rebounds and made a big impact in the Warriors thirdquarter push.

The 7-foot center pulled down four of the Warriors 10 offensive boards in the period.

Santa Cruz shot 8-of-22 from the field in the third, but with a combination of offensive rebounding and stingy defense -- turning over the Mad Ants six times and holding them to 3-of-15 shooting -- the Warriors built a double-digit advantage.

They led by 11 heading into the fourth quarter and never let their lead dip below 10 the rest of the way. Fort Wayne tried to extend the game by fouling through the final minute and a half, but Santa Cruz went 7-of-8 from the charity stripe to seal it and the postgame celebration -- chocked full of confetti, a Hill Gatorade shower and the cutting of the home-side net -- was on.

Santa Cruz had beaten the Austin Spurs in the previous round 2-1 after coming out flat in Game 2 at home and losing by double digits.

Again the Warriors had the safety blanket of being able to lose a game after stealing Game 1 in Indiana behind a 20-point comeback, but

they wouldn’t need a Game 3.

“Our team has proven that we can handle a three-game series pretty well, but anytime the title’s on the line it’s time to go,” Hill said. “I thought we learned something from the Austin series... I was able to reference from that experience a little bit. I thought it helped.”

Santa Cruz trailed only once in the first after taking the lead on its opening possession via a Kuzmic jumper. Marcus Simmons’ jumper with 3:07 left put the Mad Ants up by one, but just 20 seconds later McAdoo scored on a dish from Hobson to take back the lead. They led by one at the end of the quarter.

It wasn’t until that 2:09-mark of the second that Santa Cruz started to separate itself. McAdoo hit a layup on another assist from Hobson to put them up 48-47 and the Warriors finished the half on an 11-5 scoring run, which was punctuated with a last-second 3-pointer from Williams.

After turning the ball over 12 times in the first half, the Warriors only had two giveaways in the third quarter. They also turned 10 offensive boards into nine secondchance points.

Up 11 with 3:58 left in the game, Santa Cruz essentially put it away on a 3-pointer from Hobson and a layup from Dominique Sutton to go up by 16.

The eye of the D-League, and Bay Area basketball, was on Santa Cruz Sunday. Not only did 2,600 fans pack the arena on Front Street but Golden State stars Klay Thompson and Draymond Green were in attendance, as well as owner Joe Lacob, General Manager Bob Myers, Associate Head Coach Alvin Gentry and Assistant Head Coach Luke Walton.

Santa Cruz Warriors forward Taylor Griffin shoots a jump shot during the second half of the D-League Finals game against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants at Kaiser Permanente Arena. Photo by Tony Nunez

Hill follows in the steps of former head coach of the now defunct Dakota Wizards, David Joerger, in winning a D-League champion for the franchise. Joerger, who is now the head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies, led the Wizards to a title in 2007.

Golden State purchased the Wizards in 2012, moved the team to the coastal city and changed the team name to the Warriors.

When asked if there has been any talk of moving to the next level Hill simply said, “no.”

“The best advice I’ve ever gotten was do the job you’re given,” he said. “Don’t look up. That’s what I’m doing. If those conversations happen, they happen but I’m doing the job they gave me.”

May 2015

LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 13

Aptos High School sports schedule

Soquel High School sports schedule

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

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

May 5 vs. Scotts Valley HS

May 5 @ SLV HS

May 8 @ St. Francis HS

May 8 vs. Harbor HS

Boys varsity baseball:

Girls varsity softball

Boys varsity baseball

Girls varsity softball

May 5 @ St. Francis HS

May 5 vs. SLV HS

May 7 vs. Soquel HS

May 7 @ Aptos HS

May 7 @ Pacific Grove HS

May 6 @ RLS HS

CoEd varsity lacrosse

CoEd varsity lacrosse May 8 @ Hollister HS

at Aptos High School

June 29-July 3 at Mission Middle School

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May 2015

14 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel

APTOS

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MAY Ongoing Cabrillo Host Lions

Cabrillo Host Lions meet the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at 7 p.m. at the Cabrillo Lions community center in Aptos Village Park, 100 Aptos Creek Road. Visitors are welcome. For information, call 688-3356.

Nar-Anon family groups

Nar-Anon Family Groups is a 12 step program/support group for friends and families who have been affected by the addiction or drug problem of another. Nar-Anon members share their experience, strength and hope at a weekly meeting. Meets at Freedom Roads Church, 7200 Freedom Blvd. in Aptos, Tuesdays from 7-8:30 p.m. Helpline: 291-5099. Find other meetings: www.nar-anon.org. For information, contact saveyoursanity@ aol.com.

Aptos Noon Toastmasters

Come join a dynamic, supportive group of people at all levels of experience from beginners to more advanced. Meets Wednesdays from noon to 1 p.m. at Rio Sands Hotel, 116 Aptos Beach Drive.

The group will help you discover your voice and share it effectively. Everyone is welcome. For information, visit Facebook. com/AptosNoonToastmasters or call 2361171.

May 6 Foster care orientation

There is a need for stable families to care for children of all age groups all over Santa Cruz County. A monthly orientation meeting hosted by Santa Cruz County Family and Children’s Services will be held the first Wednesday of each month at the Live Oak Family Resource Center, 1740 17th Ave., Santa Cruz. The next meeting is 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, May 6. For information or to sign up for an orientation, visit www. fostercare4kids.com or call Consuelo Chavarria at 345-2700.

May 9 Aptos Village History Tour

Discover the stories behind the historic buildings in Aptos Village and learn about the buildings that have disappeared. Held from 10 a.m. to noon, the tour is limited to 20 people and is dog-friendly. Admission is $25 per person. Reservations are required, 688-1467. Proceeds benefit the Aptos History Museum.

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Ice Cream Social

The Aptos Chamber of Commerce will hold an Ice Cream Social Mixer at Marianne’s Ice Cream, 218 State Park Drive in Aptos, from 5-6:30 p.m.

Admission is $5 for members and $10 for non-members.

Begonia growing workshop

Golden State Bulb Growers will hold a begonia growing workshop at the Capitola Esplanade from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The workshop includes a begonia tuber, planting soil, planting/care instructions, and more. Admission is $10.

May 14 The Aptos Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly breakfast meeting from 7:30-9 a.m. at Best Western Seacliff Inn, 7500 Old Dominion Court in Aptos. Admission is $20 for members, $25 for non-members. For reservations, call 688-1467.

May 12

May 16

May 20 Golf Scramble

The Aptos Chamber of Commerce’s annual Golf Scramble will be held at the Aptos Seascape Golf Course.

Shotgun start at 1 p.m. Admission is $150 per golfer. For reservations, call 688-1467.

Santa Cruz Peace Chorale

The Santa Cruz Peace Chorale presents its 13th annual spring concert, “Bread and Roses!” at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, 2402 Cabrillo College Drive in Soquel at 7:30 p.m. This year’s theme celebrates art, love and beauty in the struggle for peace and justice. The silent auction begins at 7 p.m. A donation of $15 is requested.

Kenny Butterill concert

Kenny Butterill will perform at The Ugly Mug, 4640 Soquel Drive in Soquel, at 7:30 p.m. in a concert put on by Fiddling Cricket Music and the Canyon Acoustic Society. Butterill, a part-time resident of Santa Cruz, will be playing with his Santa Cruz-based band which includes Dave Davis on guitar, Bob Carter on harmonica and mandolin, Leroy Hoornbeck on bass and Eric Gunn on percussion. Tickets are $15 in advance. For tickets, contact Dick Brundle at Brundle@attglobal.net or at (408) 499-9441.

May 21 Art & Wine kickoff party

The Capitola Art & Wine kickoff party will be held at Bargetto Winery, 3535 N. Main St. in Soquel, from 6-9 p.m.

Admission is $40 in advance, or $45 at the door. For reservations, call the Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce at 475-6522.

May 23-24 Santa Cruz American Music Festival

The annual Santa Cruz American Music Festival will be held at Aptos Village Park from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For tickets and information, visit www. santacruzamericanmusicfestival.com.

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May 2015

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